Milan Prosecutor Upholds Pardon for Nicole Minetti Amid Controversy

On Wednesday, Milan Chief Prosecutor Francesca Nanni affirmed that her office remains supportive of the successful plea for a presidential pardon granted to Nicole Minetti, a former dental hygienist and ex regional councillor of the People of Freedom (PdL) party in Lombardy. This decision came after thorough checks confirmed that the procedure was conducted correctly and without any fraudulent actions. The cooperation of Milan investigators, who initially advocated for the pardon on humanitarian grounds, became necessary once President Sergio Mattarella inquired about the validity of the claims surrounding the pardon. Reports in the press suggested that the plea was predicated on false statements concerning Minetti's circumstances, particularly regarding the grave illness of a child she adopted from Uruguay. In light of the media scrutiny, Nanni stated that the allegations cited as the basis for re-investigating the case were unfounded. Nicole Minetti previously served a sentence of two years and ten months for allegedly facilitating sex parties at Berlusconi's residence and another 13 months for embezzlement in a scandal involving reimbursements in the Lombardy regional government. She was pardoned in February. The protocol for presidential pardons is closely managed by the justice ministry and typically reflects the results of investigations, which in this case entailed a review process driven by Interpol’s involvement. Minetti has vehemently denied the media insinuations suggesting that her adoption process was irregular and clarified that she has never encountered any legal disputes with the biological parents of her adopted child. These rebuttals further reinforce her stance against the claims made in the press, ensuring that her case remains intact amid the controversy. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2