Flávio Bolsonaro has reportedly fled to the United States amid ongoing investigations in Brazil into alleged financial crimes related to betting companies. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes imposed measures requiring Bolsonaro to surrender both his civilian and diplomatic passports and prohibited him from leaving the country. These actions were taken at the Federal Police's request as part of inquiries into money laundering and tax evasion allegations.
Reports indicate that Bolsonaro maintained a covert partnership in betting operations with lawyer Willer Tomaz, who is also facing scrutiny.
This past Tuesday, associates of Bolsonaro learned that he was en route to the US.
The investigations suggest that both Bolsonaro and Tomaz were identified as 'master users' of an account at Santander Bank. Despite their denials, the Federal Police traced a message from Tomaz requesting Bolsonaro's removal from the master user status. Tomaz holds majority ownership of Cathedral Holdings, a Portugal-based firm, and is the sole shareholder of Rede Loto, which oversees BestBet and two additional licensed brands in Rio de Janeiro. A report from Piauí magazine detailed Bolsonaro's position as a silent partner in the betting firms.
The betting site operated for nearly two years, generating over BRL360,000 (approximately $67,275) in revenue. It paid a license fee of BRL5 million to the state of Rio de Janeiro, but did not engage in advertised promotions or commercial activities. Simultaneously, Tomaz facilitated more than BRL10 billion in sports bets on Blaze, and was recognized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) as Brazil's top gambler.
The Federal Police have also implicated Bolsonaro in financial misconduct concerning funding for a film about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of attempted coup.
According to UOL, Bolsonaro's supporters confirmed he was on a flight to the United States, and a source close to the Trump administration has acknowledged awareness of his departure. Meanwhile, the State Department has remained silent. Brazilian media suggest that the Trump administration may offer asylum to the senator.
As of Tuesday morning, when reports emerged about his possible escape, Bolsonaro had not yet surrendered his passports by 11 AM. Consequently, the Federal Police canceled his passports and notified Minister Alexandre de Moraes of this action.
First accounts of Bolsonar's departure surfaced on the Argentinian news site Infobae, which noted that he crossed into Argentina using an ID card, intending to board a flight from Puerto Iguazú to the US. He reportedly traversed the Tancredo Neves bridge on foot, linking Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná to Puerto Iguazú in Misiones, Argentina. There was a plane awaiting departure at the airport, which could not take off due to one passenger being unaccounted for, though details about this person remain unclear. Official records do not indicate Bolsonaro's exit from Brazil via legal means. His brother Eduardo, who has also fled to the US, suggested that Flávio might make a similar move if he lost the election.
Bolsonaro was already under investigation and, while serving as a senator, enjoyed legal protections that allowed inquiries to proceed through the STF. His defeat against Lula in the recent election means that the investigations will continue post his senatorial term. Under the Brazilian Constitution, outgoing presidents cannot be prosecuted for crimes committed outside their terms. Following his election defeat, any ongoing cases will remain within the jurisdiction of the STF, as affirmed by a court decision in 2025, which stipulates that crimes committed while in office or connected to official duties will continue to be addressed by the STF.
