Brazil's Master case probe widens to Bolsonaro-linked Dark Horse film financing

Federal Police officials say the ongoing investigation of the so‑called Master case could face judicial challenges similar to those that led to parts of Operation Lava Jato being annulled. The probe now focuses on whether roughly US$ 12 million (about R$ 60‑130 million) transferred by former banker Daniel Vorcaro to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro was used to fund the biographical film “Dark Horse” about the Bolsonaro family, or to disguise other illicit activities.

The Supreme Court authorized the Federal Police to request documents, break bank‑secrecy orders and cooperate with U.S. authorities to trace the money. Investigators are also examining three invoices totalling R$ 1.5 million issued by Flávio Bolsonaro’s office to companies linked to Vorcaro, as highlighted by the lawyer of President Lula’s son, who has demanded that Flávio present the related fiscal records.

Authorities are looking for possible money‑laundering, foreign‑exchange evasion and corruption involving Flávio Bolsonaro, his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro and intermediaries connected to the Havengate Development Fund in Texas. The outcome could influence the upcoming presidential election and further shape Brazil’s anti‑corruption agenda.