On December 25, she posted a photo holding a panettone and greeting her online audience with a snapshot beside Matteo Salvini, her partner since 2019, Francesca Verdini. On January 1, Salvini, who serves as Minister of Infrastructure and leads the political faction known as the League, repeated the gesture. She wore a dark jacket with a gold necklace and smiled for the camera, yet the comments beneath his posts grew increasingly sharp and sarcastic. One message read, What about the rest of the Verdini family? Oh, they are under house arrest, echoing the mixed reception to the post on Instagram.
The latest developments have sparked a broader controversy for the controversial right-wing figure and potentially carry consequences that are not yet clear. At the heart of the discussion is not only Salvini but also Verdini’s relatives who have emerged as central figures in the unfolding narrative. Since December 28, Tommaso Verdini has been placed under house arrest by court order, while his sister Denis Verdini, already serving a sentence, has also been placed under house arrest. The charges include fraudulent bankruptcy, with prosecutors alleging involvement in corruption, illegal influence peddling, and manipulation of public auctions to secure contracts for ANAS, the government agency responsible for constructing and maintaining Italy’s highways. The investigation remains active, and details released publicly so far come through media reporting and official channels.
At the core of the inquiry is Inver SRL, a company steered by Tommaso Verdini as chairman and owner of approximately seventy percent of its shares. The scale of the decisions attributed to the firm marks the heart of the scrutiny, as described by investigators and corroborated by public statements and court filings reported in Italian media. The probe contends that Verdini and associates used certain relationships to influence project outcomes and contract awards in the public sector.
Better contracts
In conjunction with another partner, senior Verdini and his team allegedly sought to ensure that their clients received favorable terms. Prosecutors point to information allegedly obtained from several employees who were involved in the scheme and under house arrest themselves. In exchange for these favors, there are claims of commitments to assist career advancement for implicated individuals. The probe into these allegations began in July 2021 and was formally concluded in April 2023, outlining a pattern of exchange of favors and potential manipulation of procurement processes.
The situation raises questions about the oversight of ANAS, the state-owned rail and road authority, which has connections to the Ministry of Economy through its governance structures. The current head of infrastructure policy is involved in the discussion, arguing that the investigation began before taking office and that parliamentary questions should address the matter directly. A debate has occurred within the Italian Parliament about the control and management of ANAS and the broader implications for public procurement oversight.
critics
Observers have described the strategy as unable to shield Salvini from the political storm that has followed these events. Critics insist Parliament must ascertain the scope of involvement with ANAS, the exact contracts at issue, and the steps taken to prevent future corruption. Federico Cafiero De Raho, a former prosecutor and anti-mafia judge now serving as a member of the Five Star Movement, urged clarity on the role of public representatives in the affair. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein pressed for transparent accountability and robust ministerial oversight.
The political landscape around Salvini remains unsettled, with Meloni’s coalition colleagues choosing a cautious stance amid ongoing inquiries. Denis Verdini has a well-known history in Italian politics and business, including ties to prominent figures from the past. A prior conviction in a different case has been widely reported in Italian media, contributing to the public’s interest in the present investigation and its potential consequences for governance, procurement rules, and political accountability. The overall narrative continues to unfold, and observers anticipate further disclosures as officials and prosecutors advance their inquiry and clarify the roles of all involved parties. [Citation: Italian press and court filings provide the foundational reporting for this summary.]