Maria Rosaria Boccia's version. "I think the minister is under blackmail."

For the first time, Maria Rosaria Boccia, the businesswoman at the center of the political and media affair involving Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, gives herself to the newspapers, and gives an interview to the newspaper La Stampa. Boccia, smiling, responds laconically but precisely to Federico Monga’s questions.

Meanwhile, when she and the minister met: in 2023, according to Boccia. “We met on August 5, as the photos posted on my social profiles can testify, at the presentation of the Nomination of Italian Cuisine for UNESCO Heritage.” As to why then the nomination was not ratified, “I read that it was signed by both me and the minister as can be heard from the audio, as to why it did not go through I think this explanation should be given by the institution and not me,” Boccia says. In what capacity, however, did Boccia often accompany Minister Sangiuliano on trips in recent months? “Major events adviser,” Boccia replies. “Initially it was a proposal, so I followed the minister to get to know the reality of the ministry, then from the beginning of July the practice of becoming an adviser was instructed.”

On who was paying for her trips, the businesswoman replies, “I always knew that she was paying the Ministry as the emails I received from the head secretary who always organized all the trips can emphasize and highlight.” And again, as for the June 3 mission to Pompeii, Boccia says, “We made an inspection for the G7, and the minister took the opportunity to check some excavations.” Monga then questions whether there was confidential information in the communications he had access to: “Certainly,” Boccia replies. Thoughts turn to the famous email from director Gabriel Zuchtriegel. “The email was published by Dagospia and not by me,” Boccia points out. “The director of the Park sent it under express communication from the minister, in fact the director I think did not misunderstand anything at all: there were many witnesses and the minister was very clear to emphasize that he had to deliver the email to me as well. There were the two routes, the alternative of the two routes that the other ministers attending the G7 were supposed to take, and all the information about the organization.”

Boccia also argues that the minister should be the one to clarify whether theirs was a sentimental reaction, and he also claims to have used Sangiuliano’s guardian car, although always together with the minister. Finally, when asked whether the minister of culture is blackmailable, Boccia replied, “I think so.” And he refers to “some people blackmailing the minister for facilities they have had,” but without adding more. An extended version of the interview will be published tomorrow in the Turin newspaper.

Maria Rosaria Boccia's version. "I think the minister is under blackmail."

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