In 2009 Wallace was subject to worldwide media coverage when police launched an investigation into claims that he had arranged for murders to occur in order to boost ratings for his program.
Two alleged confederates were found not guilty, but Souza's son Rafael was sentenced to nine years for homicide.
[6] The program, which was described as "investigative journalism aimed at fighting crime and social injustice,"[5] ran until late 2008.
[4] “The order to execute always came from the politician and his son, who then alerted the TV crews to get to the scene before the police.” In 2009, Souza attracted international media attention when he was accused of hiring hitmen to kill five people to increase the ratings of his program.
[8] Souza's son, Raphael, was arrested and is currently in prison facing charges of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession.
[4][8] In October 2009, he was presented with charges of murder, drug-trafficking, intimidation of witnesses, illegal carrying of arms and formation of a criminal gang.
[15] His brother, vice-mayor Carlos Souza, requested that when sent to prison he have his own cell and be separated from fellow inmates.