Fake degree for Maria Rosaria Boccia, investigations closed in Naples
Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Investigations have concluded into Maria Rosaria Boccia, accused of plagiarizing 91% of her 2023 university thesis.
- Boccia claims she is being unfairly targeted compared to former minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
- The university that awarded Boccia's degree is reportedly the one that filed the complaint.
The Naples prosecutor's office has concluded its investigation into Maria Rosaria Boccia, who is accused of plagiarizing 91% of her university thesis. Boccia faces two charges of falsification related to her 2023 degree in Economics and Management from Universitร Telematica Pegaso. The thesis, titled "National Health System: lights and shadows of an Italian excellence constrained by public finance," allegedly used material from a 2018 Luiss University graduate's work, along with other sources.
As the investigation moves towards a potential indictment, Boccia has criticized the intense scrutiny she faces, contrasting it with the situation of former minister Gennaro Sangiuliano. She pointed out that Sangiuliano is reportedly under investigation in multiple cases, yet she feels she is being singled out. According to investigations by the Guardia di Finanza of Naples, Boccia allegedly used 70% of material from another student's thesis, with the remaining percentage taken from other sources. She is also accused of falsifying a declaration of originality.
The Universitร Telematica Pegaso, where Boccia earned her degree, has stated it is the aggrieved party, as the investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by the university itself. Pegaso had already begun its own verification process last September after a journalistic report. Boccia's lawyers, Francesco Di Deco and Francesco Petruzzi, noted that the notice of investigation conclusion is not an admission of guilt and expressed concern over the repeated dissemination of information about judicial proceedings before the interested party is formally notified.
Boccia's lawyers also highlighted that Sangiuliano is reportedly involved in three proceedings where she is the injured party, concerning stalking and aggravated defamation. Legal representatives for Sangiuliano, however, stated that Boccia is the one accused of stalking and that Sangiuliano is the victim. They also claimed no information about any investigations against Sangiuliano has been received.
the positions that emerge from the work of the judiciary are clear: Mrs. Boccia is accused of stalking, Dr. Gennaro Sangiuliano is the injured party.
Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.