Daniela Santanchè: the accusation of false accounting and the debate on resignation
The Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, has been sent to trial for false social communications in the case Visibilia, the publishing group company she founded and managed until 2022. The trial, which will open on March 20 at the Court of Milano, represents the first that Santanchè will face in her role as an entrepreneur.
The accusations
Together with Santanchè, other people have been sent to trial, including her partner Dimitri Kunz, her ex-partner Giovanni Canio Mazzaro, her sister Fiorella Garnero and her niece Silvia Garnero. The defendants also include Visibilia srl, currently in liquidation.
Judge Anna Magelli declared some charges relating to the years 2016-2018 for Santanchè and other figures time-barred, but accepted the requests of the Prosecutor's Office on more recent charges. According to the magistrates, the defendants allegedly falsified the company's balance sheets to cover growing losses.
The plea bargains
Three subjects have chosen to plea bargain: Federico Celoria, former board member, received a two-year suspended sentence; Visibilia Editore and Visibilia Editrice agreed to fines of €63.600 and €30.000 respectively, plus additional confiscations.
Other investigations involving the minister
In addition to this proceeding, the minister is facing a second request for trial for alleged fraud against the state, linked to the improper use of redundancy payments for 126.000 euros during the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, she is being investigated for complicity in fraudulent bankruptcy in the bankruptcy of the company Ki Group srl, with liabilities of 8,6 million euros.
The defense implemented
Santanchè's lawyer, Nicolò Pelanda, stated: "It's a decision that leaves a bitter taste in our mouths, but we are ready to demonstrate that the minister is not involved in the accusations".
Reactions from colleagues
The referral to trial has provoked an avalanche of reactions. Thethe opposition has in fact asked for his immediate resignation of the minister.
Nicola Fratoianni (Avs) said: "Whoever represents the State cannot find himself in such a condition". Giuseppe Conte, president of the M5s, underlined: "It is unseemly that the minister remains in her position. What is Meloni waiting for to ask for her resignation?". The PD too, through the secretary Elly Schlein, accused Giorgia Meloni of adopting double standards: "Santanchè must resign. A Prime Minister cannot ignore such serious accusations".
Even the leader of Action Carlo Calenda he invited Santanchè to resign not for the indictment in itself, but for his responsibilities in the failure of Visibilia and for a judged behavior “incompatible with the institutional role”.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright La Milano