The ongoing investigation aims to “connect some dots and gain a clearer view of a vast market of classified information” that has an “entrepreneurial dimension” in the acquisition of such data, said Giovanni Melillo, the national anti-mafia prosecutor, during a press conference regarding the investigation conducted by the Milan DDA and the DNA. Melillo described the situation as “alarming.”

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola highlighted that the economic and business sector seems to be the main focus of the investigation, adding that there are currently no significant emergencies regarding politics. The press conference was called to present the results of the investigations related to a dossier activity that led to the issuing of six precautionary measures.

Among those under investigation are Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, one of the sons of the founder of Luxottica, and Matteo Arpe. The investigation revealed that thousands of information were collected from strategic national databases, leading to precautionary measures, including house arrest for former police officer Carmine Gallo. The suspects are accused of unauthorized access and are part of an alleged organization composed of hackers, IT consultants and members of the police force, including illegal wiretapping.

Another investigation company involved is Equalize srl, chaired by Enrico Pazzali, who is also under investigation. The Carabinieri of Varese have carried out the preventive seizure of the company in question, coordinated by the prosecutor of the Milan DDA Francesco De Tommasi and the prosecutor of the DNA Antonello Ardituro. The charges include criminal association, unauthorized access to computer systems, unauthorized wiretapping, corruption and disclosure of official secrets.

The alleged organization would have collected data on bank accounts, criminal records, and other personal information, providing that data to clients, including large companies and law firms, to influence the activities of competitors. Among Equalize’s clients are the Erg group and Barilla, both involved in dossier activities for unfair competition purposes.

In the pretrial detention order, investigating judge Fabrizio Filice illustrated the details of the investigation, which reveal the extent of the abusive access to information. Pazzali and Gallo are among those who allegedly used the reports generated to influence their relationships with third parties. Among those involved are also high-profile names, such as a judge of the civil appeals court of Milan and Fulvio Pravadelli, former director general of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo.

The wiretaps reveal that the association could have “controlled” the country through an illicit dossier system. The suspects would have created reports containing illegally collected information, disguised to appear to come from legitimate sources. The seizure of Equalize and other companies involved was ordered to prevent