Santanchè probed for fraud over Covid redundancy funds

Published 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Tourism Minister Daniela Santanché could face charges of aggravated fraud against the Italian national pensions and social security institute INPS over alleged irregular management of funds made available for redundancy payments during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanché. (Photo: ANSA)

The possible charges come following a probe into allegedly improper business practices related to her former Visibilia publishing empire.

News of the investigation emerged last summer after investigative journalism programme Report on Rai 3 reported that businesses linked to Santanchè allegedly failed to pay suppliers and dismissed workers without giving them redundancy payments.

They also allegedly and improperly received COVID aid, prompting calls for her to quit.

The 62-year-old minister, who sold her stake in Visibilia when she became minister, has denied all wrongdoing.

She was placed under investigation along with several other people who had roles in the company, including her sister Fiorella Garnero and her partner Dimitri Kuntz D’Asburgo, the former president of Visibilia Editore.

ANSA

Italian News / Cassation Court OKs referendum to abolish autonomy law

Italy’s supreme Cassation Court has greenlighted a referendum for the complete abrogation of the government’s ‘differentiated autonomy’ legislation.

Italian News / Egyptian official admitted ‘cutting up Regeni’ - witness

A witness on Thursday told the Rome trial in absentia of four Egyptian security officers accused of murdering Giulio Regeni that one of the suspects admitting to “cutting up” the Italian doctoral student.

Travel / La magia del Natale nei Beni del Fai

Addobbati a festa tra castelli, abazie e concerti

Italian News / Piazza Fontana united country, permanent lesson - Mattarella

Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday said the Piazza Fontana bombing in Milan proved to be a “terrible trial” for Italians.

Italian News / Pope, Abbas discuss two-State solution at Vatican meeting

Pope Francis on Thursday met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican.

Italian News / King Felipe VI gives lecture at San Carlo theatre in Naples

King Felipe VI of Spain stressed the need for pro-EU, democratic countries to join forces in a lecture at the San Carlo theatre in Naples during the Spanish royals’ two-day State visit to Italy.

Sport / Roma electric in win over Braga

Roma picked up a much-needed win in the Europa League as they defeated Braga 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Sport / Lazio Europa League top dogs with two games remaining

Lazio head into the final two games of the Europa League top of the table after a 3-1 over Ajax in Amsterdam.

Italian News / Young girl saved off Lampedusa is sole survivor of shipwreck say rescuers

A young girl who was rescued off Lampedusa by the Trotamar migrant-rescue sailboat and taken to the Sicilian island early on Wednesday is believed to be the only survivor of a migrant shipwreck.

Italian News / Meloni ranked as most influential person in Europe

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been ranked as the most powerful person in Europe for 2025.

Comments