(Alliance News) - According to Tuesday's edition of Corriere della Sera, Marcello Sala, the former Director General of the Ministry of Economy, has informed magistrates that electronic devices seized from him may contain messages exchanged with nine members of Parliament, including two ministers. The disclosure comes amid an investigation into the banking maneuvers involving Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Mediobanca.
The warning prompted the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office to halt all access to the devices seized in November 2025, despite not yet having verified the contents of the phones and computers. Consequently, prosecutors have requested prior authorization from the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate—a request of unprecedented scope—to potentially examine communications involving members of Parliament.
According to Sala's indications, the contacts involve several high-profile political figures. For the Lower House, the request names Giancarlo Giorgetti, Federico Freni, Maurizio Leo, Edoardo Rixi, and Giulio Centemero. For the Senate, the names listed are Matteo Salvini, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, Massimiliano Romeo, and Antonio Misiani.
The request stems from caution regarding the constitutional protections afforded to parliamentarians. Under the magistrates' interpretation, even the mere existence of a communication between a suspect or a third party and a member of Parliament could fall under the guarantees of Article 68 of the Constitution, necessitating a two-step authorization process.
The names identified in the potential conversations include several prominent political figures, including members of the government and leading figures from both the majority and the opposition. Only if the actual existence of the messages and their relevance to the investigation are confirmed would a subsequent authorization for formal acquisition be sought.
At the heart of the investigation remains the Ministry of Economy's 2024 sale of a 15% stake in Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Prosecutors allege that the transaction, presented as competitive and transparent, was in fact structured to favor entities already involved in the plan to strengthen their position in Mediobanca, including Caltagirone and Milleri, with involvement across various institutional levels.
By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter
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