Brazil’s control and anti-corruption bodies had been strengthened since its democratic transition in the 1980s. But for many public managers, the overlapping responsibilities and direct sanctioning powers of the control bodies, amidst their sometimes-conflicting assessments, made everyday policy and management decisions difficult. This background note looks at the phenomenon in Brazil known as apagão das canetas, or the ‘blackout of pens’, to explore how Brazil’s anti-corruption agencies and regulatory framework interact with public managers’ ability to meet operational demands.