RIO DE JANEIRO — A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Sunday unsealed an investigation into a film about former President Jair Bolsonaro, pointing to suspicions that its financing had ties to a criminal network, the Associated Press reported.
Justice Flavio Dino said the hypothesis of a sophisticated scheme diverting public funds via congressional budget amendments and Sao Paulo city government had strengthened. The case may further complicate Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s challenge to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October’s election.
Sen. Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion related to millions of dollars from a disgraced banker used to finance the biopic “Dark Horse.” Federal police last week targeted Bolsonaro ally and former cabinet member Mario Frias, who sent about 2 million reais ($400,000) to a nonprofit linked to the film.
Dino said there were strong indications Frias played a central role in an alleged network that may also have links to the First Command of the Capital (PCC). Frias denied wrongdoing and said he never allocated congressional funds to the production.
Sources: Associated Press
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