Prosecutor confirms positive view on pardon for ex-councilor Minetti

Milan's chief prosecutor has confirmed a positive opinion regarding a pardon for Nicole Minetti, a former Lombardy regional councilor convicted in the 'Ruby bis' case. The confirmation follows new investigations ordered by the President of the Republic after a journalistic inquiry raised questions about the basis of Minetti's clemency request.

Recent findings by the Prosecutor General's office found no involvement in investigations or criminal reports concerning Minetti or her partner, Giuseppe Cipriani, in Uruguay or Spain. Testimonies collected also reportedly contradict accounts from a masseuse who worked at Cipriani's estate in Punta del Este, regarding alleged parties involving drugs and sex. Furthermore, no irregularities were found in the couple's adoption proceedings.

Minetti was sentenced to three years and 11 months for aiding and abetting prostitution and embezzlement related to expenses at the Lombardy regional council. The President of the Republic requested further information on April 27 to verify claims of false information submitted for the pardon, which was granted on February 18. The Prosecutor General's office has now sent its updated report to the Ministry of Justice, which will forward it to the Presidency of the Republic for the final decision.

Minetti's lawyers announced their intention to sue Il Fatto Quotidiano for damages, citing over fifty articles published by the newspaper and its online editions, as well as segments on television programs 'È sempre Cartabianca' and 'Report.' Peter Gomez, director of Il Fatto Quotidiano's website, expressed surprise at the prosecutor's findings, stating that the source of their reporting was not consulted. The Prosecutor General's office noted that an international rogatory commission could not be activated as the Italy-Uruguay judicial cooperation treaty applies to criminal proceedings, not this type of inquiry.