(ANSA) The Gdf's special currency police unit is carrying out 4 search orders as part of the investigation by the Milan prosecutor's office into the accounts of the Sole 24 Ore group. An investigation that currently sees 10 people under investigation for false corporate communications and embezzlement of around 3 million euros.
At the center of the investigation is an alleged fictitious subscription of tens of thousands of digital subscriptions. In the investigation into the accounts of the Group, the former chairman of the Group is being investigated for false corporate communications Benito Benedini, the former CEO Donatella Treu and the editor of the newspaper Roberto Napoletano, who according to the prosecutors "was the real CEO".
"Referring to the communications from the Milan prosecutor's office, Confindustria confirms full confidence in the judiciary in its action and reiterates the need for the widest possible clarity to be made on past events relating to the Sole 24 Ore". This is what we read in a note from Confindustria. The board of directors of the editorial group, we read again, “will autonomously evaluate the actions to be taken. Confindustria, in its capacity as majority shareholder of the Group, will evaluate all the necessary actions to protect itself and the other shareholders".
Other executives of the group, and of partner companies, are under investigation on charges of embezzlement. In this second vein, the spotlights are on the company Di Source Limited, which allegedly 'pumped' digital subscriptions, with the former director of the group's digital area as suspects, Stephen Quintarelli (now deputy of Civic Choice), with his brother John, the former chief financial officer, Massimo Arioli; the former sales manager, Alberti Biella; Philip Beltramini, manager of a subsidiary of Di Source Limited, the accountant Stephen Poretti.
In protest against the misdeeds that have tarnished the newspaper, the assembly of journalists of the Sole 24 Ore has proclaimed an indefinite strike until the director of the newspaper, Roberto Napoletano, leaves.
We report below the Ads data estimated by the publishers, referring to the month of January 2017 for the daily publications and reported by Prima Comunicazione. Ads – Accertamenti Diffusione Stampa is the company that certifies and discloses data relating to the circulation and diffusion and/or distribution of the daily and periodical press of any kind published in Italy. The data indicate a generalized drop in sales with the exception of Corriere dello Sport and the titles of the Poligrafici group. The average circulation offers the best indication of the newsstand sales trend and also includes subscriptions. The Total Circulation instead indicates the sum of sales on paper and digital.
