Delmastro case: Fratoianni says, ‘Not a minute longer at the ministry’

Rome, 23 March (LaPresse) – ‘Delmastro cannot remain in his post for a minute longer. Meloni’s defence of her personal lawyer is becoming increasingly embarrassing.’ Nicola Fratoianni of Avs writes this on Facebook. ‘Today, in fact, we read that the restaurant of which Delmastro was a partner was probably nothing more,’ continues the Red-Green leader, “than a continuation of the previous business of the Caroccia family and the Senese clan, which had been investigated by the judiciary on mafia charges. We also learn that the documents relating to the transfer of shares state that 18-year-old Miriam Caroccia allegedly bought out the shares of her partners (all leaders of Fratelli d’Italia in Biella), including Andrea Delmastro, with €5,000 in cash, paid at an earlier date, without a notary and without anyone being able to testify. All of this is said to have taken place after the girl’s father’s final conviction and arrest on mafia charges. It is rather curious, moreover, that the cash sum is precisely €5,000 – the threshold set by the Meloni government for such payments, whereas previously it was €1,000.” “This story is becoming increasingly murky, increasingly slippery, even though the undersecretary is playing it down with the help of his party and the Meloni sisters. Delmastro – concludes Fratoianni – still has to explain, among other things, why he did not disclose his involvement in this company to the Chamber of Deputies, as required by law. Did he have something to hide? Either he resigns or Meloni must dismiss him.”