BRASÍLIA — Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, a leading right-wing candidate in Brazil’s presidential election, is under investigation for alleged ties to disgraced banker Daniel Vorcaro, according to court documents unsealed this week and reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Documents show Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça opened a probe in July, at federal police request, into possible corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion linked to Vorcaro, former head of failed lender Banco Master. Police have put the alleged fraud at roughly $2.3 billion, with some 800,000 bank clients among the victims.
Data from Vorcaro’s phone showed about $12 million transferred to a U.S.-based fund linked to Flavio’s brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, in 2025, allegedly for the film “Dark Horse” about their father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Eduardo told Reuters the transfers were not bribes. Flavio has denied wrongdoing, saying he sought private investment for the film.
Voters go to the polls October 4, with Flavio challenging incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both candidates have called for full transparency in the expanding Banco Master scandal.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters
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