Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is under criminal investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering tied to financing the Jair Bolsonaro biopic Dark Horse. Court records unsealed by a Supreme Court judge show the probe began in July 2026 and allege a scheme to divert public funds to the film. Police seized documents from the production company and from former Culture Secretary Mário Frias, who is accused of transferring about 2 million reais to a nonprofit linked to the movie. Both Frias and Flávio Bolsonaro deny wrongdoing and authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
Police Probe Alleges Public Funds Diverted To Jair Bolsonaro Biopic; Senator Flávio Bolsonaro Named
Jair Bolsonaro Biopic ‘Dark Horse’ Under Police Probe In Brazil Linked To Illegal Funding
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro — a leading opposition candidate in the country's upcoming presidential election — is the subject of a criminal investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering linked to the financing of a feature film about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Investigation Unsealed
A judge on Brazil's Supreme Court unsealed court records late last week revealing that the inquiry was opened in July 2026. The court documents say there is a plausible hypothesis that those involved executed a sophisticated scheme to divert public funds to pay for the production of the biopic Dark Horse.
Seizures and Allegations
Local police have seized documents from the film's production company and from Mário Frias, who served as Brazil's Secretary of Culture under Jair Bolsonaro, according to the Associated Press. Frias is accused of transferring about 2 million reais (roughly $400,000) to a nonprofit linked to the film. The judge's ruling said there are strong allegations that Frias played a central role within the alleged criminal network.
"I never allocated any congressional budget funds to finance or benefit the production of the film in any way," Frias said in a statement.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has also denied wrongdoing, telling reporters that unsealing the documents is positive and that he supports transparency: "I will only confirm what I always said. There's nothing wrong about the movie."
Background
Jair Bolsonaro served as Brazil's president from 2019 to 2023. Often described in international coverage as the "Trump of the tropics," he is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted of leading a criminal conspiracy intended to prevent his rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from taking office.
About the Film
Dark Horse is a biopic that tells Jair Bolsonaro's life story and stars American actor Jim Caviezel. The principal cast also includes Esai Morales, Lynn Collins, Camille Guaty and Jeffrey Vincent Parise. Producers listed on the project include Karina Ferreira and Michael Davis for Go Up Entertainment, along with Ryan O'Quinn. The screenplay is credited to Mark Nowrasteh and Cyrus Nowrasteh, based on a story by Mário Frias.
Deadline has reached out to the film's production for comment. Authorities continue to investigate and have not filed final charges; both Frias and Flávio Bolsonaro deny any unlawful conduct.
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