Brazil's Culture Minister Margareth Menezes Investigated Over Alleged Rouanet Law Misuse

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office opened a civil inquiry to examine whether approximately R$ 290,000 of resources from the Rouanet Law were used to finance a performance by Culture Minister Margareth Menezes in the Os Mascarados carnival block in Salvador in 2026. The payment was made to the event organizer Pau Viola Cultura e Entretenimento.

The Ministry of Culture stated that no Rouanet funds or ministry budget were involved, noting that "A contratação da artista foi realizada sem qualquer participação do Ministério da Cultura" and that "não há projeto aprovado no Programa Nacional de Apoio à Cultura, o Pronac, para a realização do bloco Os Mascarados no Carnaval de 2026". The minister’s artistic activity had previously been cleared by the Presidency’s Public Ethics Commission, which found no conflict of interest. Earlier controversies involved public payments for carnival shows totaling about R$ 640,000.

The investigation was triggered after a news report raised questions about the alleged transfer, and the ministry has supplied all requested information to the prosecutors.