Mario Adinolfi under house arrest in Rome: fraud of 5 million in connection with "Collective Betting"
The leader of the Popolo della Famiglia has been arrested by the Guardia di Finanza on suspicion of fraud and tax evasion for approximately 400,000 euros.
Mario Adinolfi arrested: fraud charge of 5 million linked to betting club
Mario Adinolfi, journalist, politician and leader of the Popolo della Famiglia, has been arrested by the Guardia di Finanza and placed under house arrest as part of an investigation by the Rome Prosecutor's Office. The investigation accuses him of fraud and tax evasion: the alleged damage amounts to close to 5 million euros, whilst the tax evasion contested totals approximately 400,000 euros.
At the centre of the investigation is the "Collective Betting" (Scommessa Collettiva), a private club founded by Adinolfi which could be accessed by paying annual or quarterly fees ranging between 3,000 and 10,000 euros. The project promised returns of up to 40% per annum, guaranteed by a "team of experts" and algorithms applied to sports betting. Adinolfi has consistently maintained the transparency of the initiative, stating that the invested capital was protected and publicly explaining the conditions for withdrawal of funds.
Among the offerings cited is a "Vip Plus" share worth 9,500 euros, launched on the occasion of the most recent European football championship, with expiration at the end of 2024 and a promised increase of 150%, set to rise to 200% in the event of Italy's victory.
According to complaints collected by the Guardia di Finanza, several participants reportedly attempted to recover the amounts they had paid without succeeding. Adinolfi has stated on multiple occasions that he closed the activity and that, during periods of greatest membership, the project would have involved a limited number of subscribers.
The matter had previously come to light thanks to an investigation by the Italy 1 programme "Le Iene", dedicated precisely to the "Collective Betting". A confrontation between Adinolfi and reporter Filippo Roma then escalated into a physical altercation during a public meeting. Adinolfi accused the programme of having spread false information and of having used actors; accusations that the editorial team rejected.
"Le Iene" announced new evidence and further testimonies, collecting complaints from people who claim they did not fully recover the money they entrusted. Among the documented cases is that of a woman from the province of Rome who reportedly invested her savings before filing a formal complaint. Adinolfi has rejected all accusations, denying any irregularity.
From a political perspective, Adinolfi made his debut in the Democratic Party, with an election to the Chamber of Deputies in 2013. In 2016 he founded the Popolo della Famiglia, a movement of Catholic and conservative inspiration of which he has become the main exponent.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)