Sangiuliano case, from the admission of the “private matter” to the glasses with the camera: what we know so far

The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano is at the center of a case that some have already called “the political scandal of the summer”. The story revolves around Maria Rosaria Boccia, 41 years old, born in Pompeii, who claims to have been appointed Advisor to the Minister for Major Events. The case exploded on August 26, when the woman posted a photo on Instagram next to Sangiuliano, thanking him for the appointment. While the press began to wonder who Sangiuliano’s new advisor was, the minister’s staff promptly denied the newsstating that there had been no official nomination. Boccia responded by claiming that the nomination had indeed been arranged, but not yet ratified, but only because of bureaucratic delays.

Despite official denials, even in the following days Maria Rosaria Boccia has continued to publish documents and emails that appear to confirm her involvement in institutional activities alongside the minister. These documents have further fueled the controversy, leading the opposition to ask for formal clarifications and even the minister’s resignation.

The Minister Sangiuliano denied all charges, saying he had never used public funds. for Boccia and to have personally paid, with his credit card, all the expenses incurred during the institutional trips.

Opposition calls for resignation

The case has embarrassed the government, and the opposition is questioning the credibility of the minister and, indirectly, that of Prime Minister Meloni. Italia Viva has started an online petition to ask for his resignation of Sangiuliano, pointing the finger at the «curriculum of Maria Rosaria Boccia» which «is clearly lacking both with respect to the topics of interest of the ministry in question, and with respect to the organization of large events in general», and the Democratic Party has presented a parliamentary questionraising doubts about the possible «opaque management of the minister’s fiduciary roles». According to the opposition, the 41-year-old’s presence is constant even at official events, «giving rise to questions about his role and responsibilities».

Meloni: «No public money was spent. The rest is gossip»

The Prime Minister, in her first interview after the holidays, assures that Sangiuliano has assured her «that This person has not had access to any confidential documents particularly on the G7 and above all he assures me that not a single euro of Italian public money has been spent for this person.” Giorgia Meloni adds that the minister “had considered the possibility of giving this person an unpaid collaboration assignment. Then she made a different choice and decided not to give that assignment, to clarify some issues.” Everything else “is gossip” and “I’ll leave it to others.”

Maria Rosaria Boccia, however, immediately afterwards published another post on Instagram, with two pages of what could be an official and confidential document, with the heading «Meeting of the G7 Ministers of Culture – Naples, 19-21 September 2024. Culture: global public good, global responsibility» (but you can only read the title Work sessions (4 sessions of 1 hour each) and the rest is blacked out). And he comments, as if addressing Giorgia Meloni, “This person has a name, a surname and a title.”

“Our mutual professional esteem has become a private matter”

In a letter sent to The Pressthe minister reiterates that «never a single euro from the ministry, not even for a coffee, was used for the doctor’s travel and accommodation Boccia», who «has never taken part in administrative proceedings» and would never have participated in events of an «institutional nature». The minister explains that he had considered, for Boccia, an appointment as his advisor, on a voluntary basis, after having noted her «professional and organizational skills», but that he had then changed his mind, «formally communicating it».

The Press also reports a conversation between Sangiuliano and his collaborators: «What do you think Salvini was doing with Isoardi? And then with Verdini, even before stabilizing their relationship? And Franceschini with De Biase, before she became his wife? Is this the admission of a private relationship with Maria Rosaria Boccia, the newspaper wonders? “It’s the reason why we blocked her nomination as advisor for major events. He had the CV and the credentials to play that role, but when our mutual professional esteem became a private matterI was the first to think that everything had to be stopped. They should applaud me for this”. His former undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi speaks of “infatuation” for that woman.

Glasses with camera

Meanwhile, a new detail emerges: the Daily Fact today he published an article that hypothesizes that Maria Rosaria Boccia filmed the interior of Montecitorio with glasses and a small camera embedded. The reply on Instagram is ready: «Ray Ban Stories: Facebook’s smart glasses that capture photos, videos and work as earphones. When this is done, a small white LED lights up near the right lens». Boccia seems to have a series of audio and video recorded during meetings held at the ministry and outside. Some taken with a cell phone, others with that camera in the glasses.