PF targets Mario Frias in operation investigating R$2 million allocated for film about Bolsonaro

The Federal Police carried out, on Thursday (10), an operation that investigates possible irregularities in the destination of R$ 2 million of a parliamentary amendment of the federal deputy Mario Frias (PL-SP). The funds were earmarked for the Instituto Conhecer Brasil, an entity linked to the production of the film “Dark Horse”, a biopic about the former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) has identified indications of irregularities in the application of the resources. Part of the money transferred would not have proof of use by means of tax notes by the producer responsible for the project. The suspicion led Minister Flávio Dino of Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) to authorize search and seizure measures in the context of the investigation.

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Operation Complies with 49 Mandates

The action, called Operation Make Up, complies with 49 search and seizure warrants against people linked to the financing of the film. Among the targets is Karina Gama, owner of the producer responsible for the film.

The diligences are carried out in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Ceará and in the Federal District.

According to the investigations, there is suspicion of the performance of an organization formed by public and private agents. The group would have directed resources to subcontracted companies in an irregular manner and without effective proof of the provision of the contracted services.

Case is on STF

The financing of “Dark Horse” is investigated in two investigations on the Supremo Tribunal Federal. One of them is under the report of Minister André Mendonça. The other, related to the possible targeting of parliamentary amendments, is reported by Flávio Dino.

In March, Dino determined that Mario Frias would clarify the R$ 2 million amendment intended for the Instituto Conhecer Brasil.

Frias, who serves as executive producer of the film and was special secretary of Culture during the Bolsonaro government, denies irregularities. In a demonstration sent to STF in May, the deputy said that the resources had a social purpose.

The producer had already been targeted.

Go UP Entertainment had also been the target of a São Paulo Civil Police operation in June in an investigation related to suspected fraud and misappropriation of public funds.

Subsequently, by determination of Flávio Dino, the data obtained by the Civil Police were shared with STF.

Until the publication of the information used as a basis for this report, Mario Frias’s office had not yet presented a statement about the operation carried out on Thursday. The producer was also sought to comment on the case.