October 30, 2024
Former prosecutor Roberto Scarpinato, now M5S senator and member of the Anti-Mafia Commission, asked president Chiara Colosimo to be able to access the wiretaps concerning him. In defiance of any consideration of possible conflict of interest. In fact, Colosimo found herself forced to give him a clear refusal. Yesterday at Palazzo San Macuto the dismay was evident, especially since in recent days the majority deputies and senators presented a bill in both houses of parliament asking for those parliamentarians to be excluded from the Commission sessions in a clear position of “incompatibility”.
The most striking cases are two. The first is precisely that of Scarpinato, who should not be interested in the documents of the investigation by the Caltanisetta prosecutor’s office which concern a former colleague of his, Gioacchino Natoli, under investigation for aiding and abetting the mafia. The case broke out in recent weeks when a wiretap emerged between Scarpinato and Natoli, when the latter was about to be heard by the Anti-Mafia Commission. The M5S senator swore that the intent was absolutely not to prepare a complacent hearing. The center-right and Italia Viva, obviously, rose up and asked that Scarpinato no longer participate in the sessions in which this investigation is examined. It is also necessary to remember a somewhat paradoxical aspect. Today Scarpinato asks to view those documents, but in recent days he had put pen to paper to officially request that those documents be retransmitted to the Nissena prosecutor’s office to “avoid the risk that particularly invasive investigative tools could be used for persecutory or conditioning purposes”. Therefore to arrange for a new transmission of the documents to the Commission only after the filing or in any case at the end of the preliminary investigations. The request, supported primarily by vice president Federico Cafiero de Raho, was however rejected.
The other striking case concerns De Raho himself, also a former magistrate and (coincidence) deputy of the 5 Star Movement. For months the majority has considered his participation in the meetings of the Commission inadmissible in which the documents of the Perugia investigation into the dossiers fabricated by Striano&Co to the Anti-Mafia prosecutor’s office are examined. Prosecutor’s office which in those years was led by the Grillino parliamentarian. Meanwhile, the hearings continue. Yesterday it was the turn of two colleagues from Striano, the financiers Angelo Falato and Massimo Carlesi. Both hearings were classified.
#Colosimos #cold #Tempo
**Interview with Roberto Scarpinato: M5S Senator and Anti-Mafia Commission Member**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Senator Scarpinato. You recently made headlines by requesting access to wiretaps involving yourself, despite potential conflicts of interest. Can you explain what led you to make this request?
**Roberto Scarpinato:** Thank you for having me. My request for access to these wiretaps was primarily motivated by my need for transparency and accountability. I believe it is crucial for my role in the Anti-Mafia Commission that I fully understand all relevant information, particularly when it pertains to allegations against me. My intentions have always been clear: I want to ensure that the Commission operates without bias and that every member, including myself, can be held accountable.
**Editor:** However, President Chiara Colosimo refused your request. How do you feel about that decision?
**Roberto Scarpinato:** Naturally, I was disheartened by her refusal. I understand the delicate nature of this situation, but I believe access to these documents would clarify my position and demonstrate that I have nothing to hide. The refusal also raises questions about the broader issue of transparency within the Commission itself.
**Editor:** There have been growing concerns from opposition parties, including the center-right and Italia Viva, about your involvement in sessions related to this investigation. How do you respond to those concerns?
**Roberto Scarpinato:** I respect the opinions of my colleagues, but their calls for my exclusion seem more politically motivated than genuinely concerned about ethics. I assure you, I would never compromise the integrity of our investigations. Moreover, it is essential for the workings of democracy that all voices are heard, including mine.
**Editor:** You’ve previously expressed concerns about the use of “particularly invasive investigative tools” in your case. Why is this significant for you?
**Roberto Scarpinato:** The integrity of our investigative processes is paramount. I worry that overly aggressive tactics could lead to misuse of power or wrongful accusations. It is a balancing act between thorough investigations and ensuring that those investigations do not cross ethical lines. That is why I advocated for these documents to be handled with care.
**Editor:** what do you think the future holds for the Anti-Mafia Commission, given the current controversies?
**Roberto Scarpinato:** I remain optimistic. This Commission has the potential to be a powerful tool in the fight against organized crime. However, it will require transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to fairness from all members, including the leadership. If we can achieve that, we can make significant strides in our mission.
**Editor:** Thank you, Senator Scarpinato, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Roberto Scarpinato:** Thank you for having me.
