Brazil Federal Police Target Bolsonaro Ally Mário Frias in R$2 Million Fund Diversion Probe

The Brazil Federal Police (PF), in a joint operation with the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), executed 49 search and seizure warrants on Thursday, targeting Federal Deputy Mário Frias, a staunch ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in a probe alleging the diversion of up to R$2 million (about $360,000) in public funds. The operation, named 'Make Up,' centers on allegations that funds from parliamentary amendments were funneled to finance the production of "Dark Horse," a biographical film about the former president, which Frias himself serves as the executive producer.

Frias, a former soap opera actor who served as Bolsonaro's Secretary of Culture, is under investigation for potential crimes including embezzlement (peculato), money laundering, and criminal organization. The investigation focuses on up to R$2 million in so-called parliamentary amendments—public funds that federal lawmakers are allocated to direct to specific projects—which Frias allegedly directed to the non-profit Instituto Conhecer Brasil (ICB). The probe suggests the funds were subsequently diverted from the non-profit and paid to the film's producer, Karina Gama, and her company, Go Up Entertainment.

Due to Frias’ status as a sitting Federal Deputy, the operation was authorized by a justice of the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF), Minister Flávio Dino, highlighting the high-level judicial scrutiny of the case. The warrants were served across four states—São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Ceará, and the Federal District—as the PF and CGU seek evidence related to the alleged scheme. In addition to the searches, Minister Dino ordered the passport confiscation of 29 individuals, including the deputy, and prohibited the involved companies from entering into new contracts with the public sector.

The deputy publicly denied the allegations, maintaining that the funds were legally destined for social projects, including sports and digital literacy programs, and that the transactions are transparent and public. He vowed to cooperate with the investigators by providing all requested documentation. The investigation is now set to continue under the STF's oversight, with investigators analyzing the seized documents and the financial flow of the R$2 million that allegedly financed political filmmaking with public money.