Rome's Public Prosecutor's Office investigates Epstein Files: rogatory commission to USA, Italian names in dossier
Rome's Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a file on the Epstein Files, hypothesising charges of sexual assault. A rogatory commission has been sent to the US Department of Justice to acquire documents still classified as secret.
Rome launches investigation into Epstein Files: requesting confidential documents from the United States
Rome's Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a file on the so-called Epstein Files, on the basis of the alleged crime of sexual assault. This is reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca, noting that the Italian strand of the investigation stemmed from a complaint filed on 26 March by the association Differenza Donna.
The association's lawyers asked the magistrates to investigate possible transnational crimes of trafficking, violence and sexual exploitation, based on the presence in already-known documents of names, movements and stays referable to Italian locations.
In recent weeks, Rome's investigators sent a rogatory commission to the US Department of Justice, with the aim of obtaining documentation relating to the matter — including documents that have not yet been made public. The investigation aims to verify whether Italian citizens abroad, or persons who acted directly on Italian territory, are involved in episodes of a sexual nature prosecutable under Italian law.
The file is coordinated by deputy prosecutor Maurizio Arcuri. In their complaint, Differenza Donna argues that documents already published in the United States reveal "recurrences of Italian subjects", as well as "significant and non-episodic references to stays, movements and relations in Italian locations such as Capri, the Amalfi Coast, the Costa Smeralda, Milan and Rome". The association also highlights contacts with subjects involved in "circuits of international economic and social significance", who could have played "a role in the network of exploitation and rape".
Italian names and denials
Among the names that emerged in recent days, following an intervention by American congressman Thomas Massie, are those of Lapo Elkann and Eduardo Teodorani. The latter is the son of Maria Sole Agnelli, a second-degree cousin of John Elkann, and a former top manager at Exor, Fiat, New Holland and Cnh International.
The accusations made by the US parliamentarian were firmly rejected by Lapo Elkann. After the publication of the news about the investigation, Elkann stated: "As I have already declared in recent days, following the words of congressman Thomas Massie, there are issues on which one cannot and must not compromise. To see one's name associated with that of Jeffrey Epstein, in the absence of elements that would justify such an association, is unacceptable."
Elkann added that he is "entirely at the disposal of the competent authorities to provide every element, clarification or information that may be deemed useful". He then specified the only circumstances in which he would have met Epstein: "The first time in New York, at a time when I was an assistant to Henry Kissinger, in a public context where figures from the world of politics and finance were present, and a second time in Rome at a business event related to Brasilinvest."
Elkann furthermore emphasised that "in the public archives known as the Epstein Files there is no direct correspondence between myself and him", and cited his commitment against abuse through the LAPS Foundation, which has supported women and children victims of violence for years.
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca