Flávio Bolsonaro faces calúnia probe as wife Fernanda charged in money‑laundering scheme
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL‑RJ) is under a Federal Police investigation for alleged calúnia against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after a January 3 post on X that linked Lula to drug trafficking, money laundering and other crimes. He submitted a written defense and did not appear at the scheduled interview; Judge Alexandre de Moraes returned the case to the Prosecutor General, which now has 15 days to decide on further action.
At the same time, Fernanda Bolsonaro, the senator’s wife, was denounced by the Rio de Janeiro Public Ministry for participation in a “rachadinha” money‑laundering scheme involving about R$638,000. The indictment cites deposits of R$25,000 from Fabrício Queiroz and R$20,000 from chief‑of‑staff Miguel Grillo into her account in 2011 to finance a Laranjeiras apartment, as well as the use of her account for a R$350,000 transfer to buy a chocolate shop and a R$200,000 capital contribution. Although the case was previously archived after the STJ and STF annulled the evidence, the ministry renewed the charges. Fernanda has recently taken a more visible role in Flávio’s presidential campaign, aiming to appeal to female voters.
Entities: Fabrício Queiroz · Fernanda Bolsonaro · Flávio Bolsonaro · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Miguel Grillo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Prosecutor General has 15 days to decide on further steps in the case. (Procedural deadline)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fernanda Bolsonaro’s account was used to transfer R$350,000 for the purchase of a chocolate shop and she contributed R$200,000 to its capital. (Use of account for business)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Flávio Bolsonaro submitted a written defense to the Federal Police and did not attend the scheduled interview. (Written defense and non‑appearance)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fernanda Bolsonaro was denounced by the Rio de Janeiro Public Ministry for involvement in a money‑laundering scheme linked to the “rachadinha” involving about R$638,000. (Denunciation by MP‑RJ)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Deposits of R$25,000 from Fabrício Queiroz and R$20,000 from Miguel Grillo were made to Fernanda Bolsonaro’s account in 2011 to finance a Laranjeiras apartment. (Financial transactions)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The case against Fernanda and Flávio Bolsonaro was archived after the STJ and STF annulled the evidence, but the ministry renewed the denunciation. (Legal outcome and renewal)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Judge Alexandre de Moraes returned the investigation to the Prosecutor General after Flávio Bolsonaro’s non‑appearance. (Judicial decision)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flávio Bolsonaro was investigated by the Federal Police for alleged calúnia against President Lula based on a post on X dated 3 January. (Investigation into alleged calúnia)