Businessman who sent funds to ‘Dark Horse’ says he moved cash-filled suitcases at Vorcaro’s direction

Antônio Carlos Freixo Júnior, known as Mineiro, told authorities that he sometimes delivered suitcases packed with cash to Daniel Vorcaro, the former Banco Master banker. The account appears in a plea bargain that could help investigators identify when Vorcaro needed cash and when alleged illicit payments were made.

Mineiro said he acted as a financial operator for Vorcaro. He described arranging transfers and obtaining cash after Vorcaro began requesting what he called “unorthodox” operations, including transfers without supporting documentation and the acquisition of banknotes. Vorcaro would transfer assets or money to Mineiro’s companies, after which Mineiro sought other operators able to provide cash. Those operators charged 4%, and Mineiro placed the notes in suitcases before handing them to Vorcaro.

One transfer went to the Havengate Development Fund in the United States, which was used to finance “Dark Horse,” a film about former President Jair Bolsonaro. The fund is administered by Paulo Calixto, a lawyer linked to former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro. Authorities suspect that part of the money may have been intended for Eduardo Bolsonaro, but people familiar with the cooperation said Mineiro did not know whether the funds were meant for him or another Bolsonaro ally. Mineiro also said he did not know how Vorcaro ultimately used the cash.

Federal Police had already identified Mineiro’s company Entre Investimentos e Participações, which sent the money to Havengate, as an operational arm of Vorcaro that helped distribute funds defined by the banker. The company owner’s defense did not comment. Vorcaro’s defense said it had not seen the proposal and was unaware of the matter.

The Prosecutor-General’s Office reached the plea agreement in August. O Globo first disclosed it, and Folha confirmed the information. The agreement was sent to Supreme Federal Court Justice André Mendonça for validation, but he has not yet ruled. It is the second plea bargain concluded in the Banco Master case, following one with businessman João Carlos Mansur, the former owner of fund manager Reag.

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