Former Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has filed a legal complaint against businesswoman Maria Rosaria Boccia. The case, which reached the Rome Prosecutor’s Office yesterday, is expected to launch an official investigation in the coming weeks, focusing on Boccia’s alleged involvement in attempted extortion and privacy violations.
The controversy began when Boccia announced her appointment as an advisor to the minister, a claim swiftly denied by the Ministry of Culture (MiC). This incident set off a chain reaction of public accusations, social media conflicts, and ultimately led to Sangiuliano’s resignation after weeks of escalating tensions.
Rome’s Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi will oversee the investigation into Boccia, running parallel to two other inquiries into Sangiuliano’s actions during his tenure as Minister of Culture. One of these probes, triggered by a complaint from Green Party leader Angelo Bonelli, accuses the former minister of embezzlement and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Additionally, the Lazio Court of Auditors is examining potential financial mismanagement under his leadership at MiC.
Meanwhile, Boccia has been banned from entering Montecitorio, the Italian Parliament, after security officials discovered unauthorized video recordings she had taken during visits with Sangiuliano. This decision adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding scandal.
Sangiuliano’s legal complaint reportedly includes text messages and photographs that allegedly document Boccia’s attempts at extortion. Among these is an image showing the former minister with a cut on his forehead, allegedly sustained during a heated argument with Boccia. In messages submitted to prosecutors, Boccia purportedly admitted to losing control during the confrontation.
The minister’s account also focuses on Boccia’s appointment, which he initially considered but later retracted due to concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Despite this, Boccia went ahead with a social media announcement of her role, reportedly putting Sangiuliano in a precarious position, forcing him to either publicly deny the appointment or silently accept it to avoid political fallout.
The case, involving personal relationships and professional misconduct, will now be closely examined by investigators. Boccia will soon be called to provide her version of events as authorities sift through emails, messages, and documents to determine the truth. For now, this saga is far from over.
