Dossier and unauthorized access to institutional databases: Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio investigated
Major investigation by the Varese Carabinieri, coordinated by the Milan Prosecutor's Office and the DDA. National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor Melillo: "A gigantic information market"
ROME – A new judicial investigation turns the spotlight on Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, vice president of EssilorLuxottica and son of the late founder of the Luxottica empire, Leonardo Del Vecchio.
The investigation began in 2022 and conducted by the Carabinieri of the Varese investigative unit, coordinated by the Milan prosecutor’s office and the district anti-mafia directorate, concerns an alleged case of illegal dossier involving Del Vecchio and financier Matteo Arpe, accused of having unauthorized access to computer systems to collect confidential information. An operation that would involve other people. In total six precautionary measures: four under house arrest, including the former “super policeman” Carmine Gallo, and two interdictory measures.
CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF MILAN VIOLA: “INCALCULABLE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ACCESSES”
During this morning’s press conference, the chief prosecutor of Milan Marcello Viola illustrated the details of the operation: “Among the crimes contested are criminal association aimed at the consumption of illegal access to the information system protected by security measures, corruption, illicit interception of computer and telematic communications, possession and installation of equipment suitable for intercept communications and more”.
At the center of the investigation, as it emerged, the Milanese company Equalize owned by Enrico Pazzali (under investigation) and managed by the former policeman Carmine Gallo.
“A difficult to calculate number of abusive accesses to institutional databases has been ascertained – adds Viola -, above all the Sdi – inter-force computer system – containing all the citizens’ police records. All to acquire information on thousands of people, with the help of unfaithful public officials with access to the system, usually unfaithful police officers “.
The anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo called it “a gigantic market of confidential information. An alarming picture”. Under house arrest former police officer Carmine Gallo and 5 others including hackers and IT consultants.
THE ACCUSATIONS OF DOSSIERAGGIO
The investigation revolves around the phase following the disappearance of Leonardo Del Vecchio, founder of Luxottica, and the inheritance managed through Delfin, the family holding company, which holds significant stakes in large financial and industrial companies such as Mediobanca, Generali, and EssilorLuxottica itself.
Del Vecchio Jr. and Arpe are suspected of having commissioned access to public computer systems to collect sensitive information, at a particularly delicate time for the family inheritance. With the death of the founder, the large assets and controlling stakes in numerous strategic companies would have given rise to complex internal dynamics, with the need to redistribute roles and responsibilities in the management of Delfin.
Investigators suspect that the unauthorized access to computer systems may have been motivated by the desire to obtain information relevant to inheritance decisions and to establish control over the main family assets. It would therefore be an illicit dossier aimed at monitoring or acquiring information on the movements and positions of other family members or business partners, especially at a time when potential appointments and significant economic alliances were being discussed.
THE ALLEGED COMPLICITY OF MATTEO ARPE
Matteo Arpe, a well-known financier with a past at the top of Capitalia, is suspected of having played a supporting role in the information gathering operations. The investigation hypothesizes a concert of actions between Del Vecchio Jr. and Arpe to facilitate access to protected data, in a context where the dossier could have been used as a tool of pressure or control within the dynasty and its complex interactions with Delfin’s partners.