Additional Coverage:
- Brazil presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing after asking banker for millions (apnews.com)
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro Denies Wrongdoing Amid Corruption Scandal Tying Him to Jailed Banker
SAO PAULO – Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has rejected allegations of misconduct following reports that he requested millions from imprisoned banker Daniel Vorcaro. The revelations could complicate Bolsonaro’s anticipated presidential campaign against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming October elections.
Earlier this week, The Intercept Brazil released audio messages in which Bolsonaro asks Vorcaro-who is embroiled in a high-profile corruption investigation-for 61 million reais (approximately $12 million) to fund a film titled The Dark Horse. Bolsonaro describes the project as a private production focused on the life of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently incarcerated.
Vorcaro, the former CEO of the now-defunct Banco Master, is at the heart of a sweeping fraud and graft scandal implicating numerous senior officials. He faces accusations of deceiving Banco Master clients into dubious investments, resulting in substantial financial losses. Investigations by federal police and the Supreme Court remain ongoing.
In a public statement, Flávio Bolsonaro defended his actions, emphasizing the private nature of the film and denying any exchange of illegal favors. “Our case is of a son seeking PRIVATE sponsorship for a PRIVATE film about his father’s story.
No public money,” he said. “I did not offer any (illegal) advantages in exchange.
I did not have private encounters. I did not intermediate business with the government.
I did not receive money.”
Political analyst Thomas Traumann warned that the controversy could damage Bolsonaro’s campaign prospects, particularly as the Liberal Party prepares to officially nominate him. “As Flávio Bolsonaro is an unknown politician whose biggest asset is being son of the former president, a scandal like this could have a devastating impact,” Traumann noted. He suggested that the opposition might consider changing candidates to maintain their electoral viability.
The messages from Bolsonaro to Vorcaro were reportedly sent in October, prior to the banker’s arrest in March. Since then, Vorcaro has been negotiating a plea deal with authorities. Banco Master, whose assets exceeded $16 billion, was shut down by Brazil’s Central Bank in November.
In response to the scandal, Bolsonaro and his supporters have sought to shift blame onto President Lula’s administration, though federal police have not established any connections between Vorcaro and the current government. Additionally, Senator Ciro Nogueira, a former chief of staff to Jair Bolsonaro, denied recent media claims that he received payments from Vorcaro.
The investigation continues to unfold as Brazil approaches a critical election season.