STF Minister Flávio Dino Lifts Secrecy on Investigation Into Bolsonaro Biopic Funding

Supreme Federal Court Minister Flávio Dino lifted the secrecy of an investigation into the financing of Dark Horse, a cinebiography of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The decision, made on Sunday, makes public documents and data produced by the São Paulo Civil Police regarding the production company Go Up. Dino also ordered the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat to transfer all raw data from seized cell phones, computers, and documents to the Federal Police. The investigation focuses on the possible diversion of public resources, specifically federal parliamentary amendments and funds from the city of São Paulo, to finance the film. Federal Deputy Mario Frias, a producer of the film, and Karina Gama, owner of Go Up, are central figures in the probe. The Federal Police suspect a sophisticated scheme involving a criminal organization that used a closed financial circuit to circulate and hide public funds. Some reports mention a line of investigation exploring potential links between the group and the PCC criminal faction. Mario Frias has denied any wrongdoing, describing the Federal Police operation as a smoke screen and arguing that private sponsorship is not a crime. He specifically defended the film's funding from Banco Master, comparing it to other large private investments. Dino justified the removal of secrecy by citing a jurisprudential shift within the STF toward greater publicity in investigations to prevent selective leaks. The case is split between two STF ministers: Dino handles the investigation into parliamentary amendments, while Minister André Mendonça oversees a separate inquiry related to the film's funding.