Brazil Police Probe Bolsonaro’s Son Over Alleged Money Laundering Scheme

Brazil’s Federal Police are investigating presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro and his lawyer over a suspected money laundering operation, according to a new report from O Globo newspaper.

Investigation targets Liberal Party candidate

Brazil’s Federal Police have opened an investigation into Flávio Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate. Authorities suspect he may have worked with his lawyer, Uiler Tomás, in a money laundering scheme. The news outlet O Globo first reported the probe.

The newspaper quoted its sources directly. It stated: “The Federal Police is investigating whether Liberal Party presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro acted together with lawyer Uiler Tomás in an alleged money laundering scheme”.

Case linked to earlier betting platform probe

Brazil’s Supreme Court is overseeing the investigation. Justice Alexandre de Moraes leads the proceedings. The case builds on an earlier Federal Police investigation in Rio Grande do Sul state. That probe looked into alleged money laundering and illegal transfers of funds abroad through online betting platforms.

Investigators grew interested in Tomás after spotting signs that he controlled Rede Loto, a bookmaking company. Rio de Janeiro’s state government had licensed Rede Loto back in May 2023. Once police received court approval, they began reviewing the lawyer’s phone data. This included messages, letters, and other digital records.

Phone records reveal financial links and joint travel

O Globo reports that this review uncovered financial connections between Tomás and Flávio Bolsonaro. Investigators also found evidence of at least five joint overseas trips the pair took together. These trips happened during the first half of 2025.

The two men traveled together to South Africa, Portugal, and France. Investigators recovered photographs, travel bookings, flight records, and car rental details from the lawyer’s phone and email accounts.

Ties go beyond friendship, report claims

According to O Globo, the relationship between Bolsonaro and Tomás extends past personal friendship. The pair have represented parties together in legal cases. In August, Tomás reportedly gave the candidate an apartment in São Paulo. Bolsonaro allegedly used the property during his election campaign.

Tomás already faces scrutiny in other, separate investigations. One of these involves suspected fraud connected to INSS pension payments.

Separate probe targets film funding

Flávio Bolsonaro faces a second, unrelated Supreme Court investigation of his own. That case examines funding behind the film “Dark Horse,” a documentary about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. Investigators are examining possible money laundering, illegal fund transfers abroad, and corruption tied to the film’s financing.

Both men deny wrongdoing

Flávio Bolsonaro has rejected the allegations outright. He described the O Globo report as “fake news.” Tomás also denied any wrongdoing. He said he was surprised the investigation details surfaced on a Sunday, just hours before a scheduled presidential debate.