São Paulo City Hall questions R$ 13 million from NGO linked to 'Dark Horse' producer

São Paulo's City Hall has raised concerns over R$ 13.4 million in invoices submitted by the Instituto Conhecer Brasil (ICB), an NGO presided over by the owner of the production company behind the film 'Dark Horse'. The questioned invoices are part of the accountability for a contract signed in 2024 with the administration of Mayor Ricardo Nunes, valued at R$ 108 million, for the installation of Wi-Fi points across the city.

ICB is led by Karina Ferreira da Gama, who also owns Go Up Produções, the company that produced 'Dark Horse,' a film financed by Daniel Vorcaro, the owner of Banco Master. According to an official notice from the Municipal Secretariat of Innovation and Technology, the majority of the disputed invoices, totaling R$ 10.6 million, lack specific geographical areas served or detailed services provided. These documents were issued by companies including Favela Conectada Serviço e Tecnologia, Complexsys Soluções Integradas, Make One Tecnologia Digital, and Ultra IP.

These companies, along with ICB, were subjects of a search and seizure operation in June conducted by the Civil Police of São Paulo. The investigations aim to determine if public funds were diverted and if any part of the contract value was used to finance 'Dark Horse,' a film about former President Jair Bolsonaro. An additional R$ 906,000 is being questioned due to canceled invoices, with Favela Conectada appearing again in this category for a R$ 500,000 invoice issued in June 2025 and canceled in July 2025.

The Municipal Secretariat of Innovation and Technology stated that ICB has 30 days to rectify the situation. If the NGO fails to properly account for the funds, the amount must be immediately returned. Other discrepancies include R$ 1.3 million flagged for issues such as lack of bank backing, non-fiscal value invoices, incompatible addresses, advance payments, and missing technical reports. Karina Gama asserted that the facts will be clarified and that the presented documents will demonstrate the regularity of the execution of the contract.

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the facts will be duly clarified and that the information and documents presented will demonstrate the regularity of the execution