Recent investigations have revealed “classified documents from Eni Spa” located in the Milan offices of Equalize, a private investigation firm at the center of a probe by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) and the National Anti-Mafia Directorate (DNA). The inquiry has resulted in the house arrest of Equalize’s CEO, Carmine Gallo, a former police inspector, and has also implicated Enrico Pazzali, president of the Fair Foundation, who has since suspended himself from his position. According to the investigation documents, Equalize houses not only a “true police archive” but also numerous confidential files on Paolo Simeone, a well-known Italian YouTuber and contractor.
The investigation, which includes nearly 3,900 pages of findings, suggests that Gallo’s extensive network of connections over the years has allowed him to forge relationships within the judiciary, law enforcement, and intelligence communities. These ties have enabled the creation of comprehensive dossiers, often sold to interested parties, including entrepreneurs and politicians, for significant fees—up to €15,000 for in-depth reports on individuals. Such practices, it is noted, allow for political adversaries to be undermined by the strategic release of sensitive information.
In a particularly alarming development, intercepted conversations from December 2022 reveal discussions among the group about their intelligence activities related to Russia and cyberattacks in Italy. They claim to have received directives linked to a mandate from the Church, as documented by the investigative unit of the Carabinieri in Varese. This suggests that some of their operations may have been conducted under the auspices of ecclesiastical entities.
Among those implicated in the investigation is Stefano Speroni, the legal affairs director at Eni, who is accused of complicity in illegal data access and espionage. Reports indicate that Gallo and a tech expert discussed a document from Equalize that aimed to discredit the oil entrepreneur Francesco Mazzagatti. Following a raid, Speroni’s phone was seized, and Eni has publicly stated that they were unaware of the alleged illegal activities involving Equalize, refraining from further comment while investigations continue.
The investigation has also uncovered a proposed contract worth one million euros for Equalize from Israeli intelligence contacts. This was revealed through surveillance of conversations in which Nunzio Calamucci mentioned a substantial offer from Israeli operatives. The discussions suggest that previous payments of €40,000 have been made, and the possibility of further lucrative contracts raises significant concerns about the nature of Equalize’s operations and their ties to foreign entities.
Moreover, allegations have emerged involving illegal surveillance targeting Olympic athlete Marcell Jacobs and his team. The dossier created against Jacobs was reportedly commissioned by Gallo and executed by two hackers. These individuals were allegedly engaged at the request of a Padua-based lawyer, whose identity remains under investigation. The proposed actions included implanting a Trojan horse on the athletes’ phones, raising serious ethical and legal questions surrounding the extent of surveillance in the world of sports.
As this investigation unfolds, the implications for corporate governance, data privacy, and national security are profound. The interconnected web of relationships between political figures, private investigators, and international interests reveals a troubling landscape that calls for greater oversight and accountability in the practices of both public and private sectors.
