Edir Macedo's R$ 10 billion empire faces banking scrutiny

Edir Macedo, the founder and leader of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, has an estimated fortune of approximately R$ 10.3 billion (roughly $2 billion). His business empire includes the Record television network, which holds the second-largest audience in Brazilian open TV, the Digimais Bank, various radio stations, publishing houses, and real estate holdings. He also oversees international media interests, including W67CI in the United States and TV Miramar in Mozambique.

In addition to his media and religious influence, Macedo's conglomerate has significant political reach through the Republicanos party, which holds 42 federal deputies. However, his financial interests are currently facing scrutiny. Digimais Bank is under investigation by the Federal Police in 'Operação Miragem' regarding allegations of fraudulent management, artificial asset overvaluation, and the insertion of false accounting data to hide an estimated R$ 8.5 billion deficit.

The Central Bank has threatened the liquidation of Digimais, though a court extension has allowed until September 15 to provide a R$ 2 billion injection to facilitate the transfer of assets to BTG. Macedo has denied any responsibility regarding the bank's financial difficulties.