Gardênia Morais, a former parliamentary aide to Mário Frias (PL-SP), confirmed to G1 that she returned part of her salary in a 'rachadinha' scheme — a system where civil servants transfer portions of their pay to lawmakers or intermediaries in exchange for appointment. She worked in the office between February 2023 and May 2024, receiving net salaries ranging from R$10,000 to R$21,000. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Gardênia foi nomeada secretária parlamentar em fevereiro de 2023 e permaneceu no cargo até maio de 2024. No período, recebeu salário pago pela Câmara em uma conta do Banco do Brasil. O valor líquido, após descontos, variou de cerca de R$ 10 mil a R$ 21 mil."
According to receipts obtained by the report, Gardênia transferred R$35,116 to then-chief of staff Raphael Azevedo and his family members over 14 months. Documents also show payment of R$4,832 for the credit card bill of Juliana Frias, the deputy's wife, and a R$1,000 PIX transfer to Maria Lucia Frias, the lawmaker's mother. The former aide took out five payroll loans totaling R$174,886, of which she said she used only R$35,000 for personal purposes. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Os comprovantes identificados somam R$ 35.116."
The revelations emerge amid the crisis involving the film 'Dark Horse,' a biography of Jair Bolsonaro. Reports by Intercept Brasil showed that Flávio Bolsonaro negotiated R$61 million with banker Daniel Vorcaro for the production between February and May 2025, with Vorcaro being arrested by Federal Police in November 2025. Frias's current chief of staff said he was unaware of the suspicions, and the deputy did not comment by publication time.
Press quotes (1)
"O deputado sabia, o deputado estava ciente de todas as devoluções. Foi um combinado inicial, o deputado sempre participa."
Gardênia Morais worked in Mário Frias's office between February 2023 and May 2024
The documented transfers total R$35,116
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
The crisis emerges in the context of the 'Dark Horse' film and negotiations between Flávio Bolsonaro and Daniel Vorcaro
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How many other aides participated in the 'rachadinha' scheme in the office?
Why it's still unknown: Gardênia stated that 'there were more people returning' but did not specify how many or identify others involved
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What is Mário Frias's official position on the accusations?
Why it's still unknown: The deputy did not comment by the time the reports were published
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Is there a formal investigation underway regarding the scheme?
Why it's still unknown: The reports do not mention whether prosecutors or other agencies have been contacted
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Where was the R$49,999 cash withdrawal sent?
Why it's still unknown: Gardênia refused to reveal the final recipient of the amount withdrawn in March 2024