Brazil’s presidential race has taken an unexpected turn after Flavio Bolsonaro came under a corruption investigation.
The right-wing presidential candidate is facing allegations involving corruption and money laundering weeks before the October election.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is challenging leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Brazilian voters will choose their next president in the October 4 election. Meanwhile, the new investigation has intensified scrutiny of Bolsonaro’s campaign.
Investigation Linked to Bolsonaro Film
A newly released court document revealed that police have investigated Flavio Bolsonaro since July.
The investigation concerns possible crimes “in the context of financing the production” of an upcoming film about his father.
Police conducted dozens of raids on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged public fund embezzlement.
The probe focuses on the company that produced Dark Horse, a flattering biopic about Jair Bolsonaro.
US actor Jim Caviezel stars as Jair Bolsonaro in the film. The production has become part of a widening corruption scandal.
However, Flavio Bolsonaro has rejected the allegations against him.
“I have nothing to hide. The film is completely legal,” Flavio Bolsonaro said at a campaign event on Friday.
An investigation of this kind does not prevent someone from running for office in Brazil.
Bolsonaro Campaign Faces New Pressure
The 45-year-old senator entered the presidential race after his father was jailed for attempting a coup in 2022.
Flavio Bolsonaro has presented himself as a “more moderate” version of his father. He has also built his campaign around conservative themes.
The right-wing candidate has promised to “rescue” Brazil from corruption, crime, high food prices and rising public debt.
His speeches frequently feature references to “God, country, family and freedom.” He has also pledged tougher action against crime.
Crime remains voters’ main concern, according to polls cited in the supplied report. Bolsonaro has criticised Lula for not taking violence seriously enough.
Film Financing Comes Under Scrutiny
The campaign has also faced questions over Bolsonaro’s contact with banker Daniel Vorcaro.
Vorcaro, who headed the collapsed private bank Banco Master, faces fraud allegations. Bolsonaro said he approached Vorcaro to finance “Dark Horse.”
Thursday’s raids reportedly targeted Karina Gama, who heads the company behind the film. They also targeted Mario Frias, a pro-Bolsonaro congressman.
Frias is listed as the film’s executive producer. Both Gama and Frias have been barred from leaving Brazil during the investigation.
Frias has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as a “smoke screen” probe.
Police officials said the money involved came from parliamentary funds available to lawmakers. These funds generally support special projects in their electoral strongholds.
Meanwhile, Vorcaro’s alleged interactions with Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes have created a separate crisis.
Vorcaro reportedly sought legal assistance from Moraes days before his arrest.
Lula and Bolsonaro Remain Neck-and-Neck
Political scientist Mayra Goulart said corruption scandals could have different effects on the two campaigns.
“The impact of corruption scandals is much greater for Lula’s campaign than for Flavio’s,” said political scientist Mayra Goulart from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
However, she said further evidence against Bolsonaro could affect undecided voters closer to election day.
New evidence against Bolsonaro closer to the election could influence “voters whose choice is less clearly defined,” she told AFP.
Lula previously spent 580 days in prison after corruption charges in 2018 and 2019. His conviction was later overturned.
Despite the latest developments, Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro remain closely matched in voting intentions.
If neither candidate secures an outright majority, Brazil will hold a runoff election on October 25.
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