Quirinale Seeks Clarification on Nicole Minetti Clemency Amidst New Allegations
Rome, April 27 – The Quirinale, the official residence of the President of Italy, has formally requested an urgent investigation from Justice Minister Carlo Nordio into the circumstances surrounding the clemency granted to Nicole Minetti. This development follows recent press reports suggesting discrepancies in the information provided during her clemency application.
The letter from the President’s office, sent on April 18, 2026, highlights that “the letter was sent following press reports from which different circumstances than those presented to the President of the Republic with the request for clemency would emerge.” While no specific media outlet was named, the request implicitly refers to a detailed investigation by “Il Fatto Quotidiano” that cast shadows on the adoption of a child cited in Minetti’s clemency plea.
Quirinale: No Independent Investigative Powers
Responding to questions about why these verifications were not made prior to the clemency act, President Mattarella’s collaborators clarified that the Head of State does not possess independent investigative tools to ascertain facts. Consequently, the Quirinale relies on the (favorable) opinion of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice. The President’s instruction to the Minister states: “In reference to the decree granting clemency to Ms. Minetti adopted by the President of the Republic, upon the favorable proposal of the Minister of Justice, on February 18, 2026, and the consequent press reports regarding the supposed falsity of the elements represented in the clemency request, at the President’s indication, please urgently acquire the necessary information suitable for verifying the veracity of what has been reported by a press organ.”
“Il Fatto Quotidiano” Investigation Uncovers Alleged Irregularities
Nicole Minetti, a former dental hygienist for Silvio Berlusconi, was sentenced to two years and ten months for aiding and abetting prostitution in the Ruby-bis inquiry and one year and one month for embezzlement in the so-called “Rimborsopoli lombarda” case. She received presidential clemency on humanitarian grounds on February 18, 2026. However, a shocking and detailed investigation by “Il Fatto Quotidiano,” penned by Thomas Mackinson, presents a starkly different narrative from that described by Minetti and her lawyers in the clemency application.
The core of the journalistic inquiry revolves around a “seriously ill” child that Minetti adopted with her partner, Giuseppe Cipriani. The clemency request presented the child as lacking emotional ties, having been abandoned at birth. Yet, “Il Fatto Quotidiano,” after consulting documents from the Maldonado Court in Uruguay, reported that the child’s biological parents are alive and that Minetti and Cipriani allegedly initiated legal proceedings to strip the biological father and mother of their parental rights. This is just the beginning of the allegations.
According to the investigation by the newspaper, led by Marco Travaglio, the adoption allegedly occurred in an unclear context of poverty, obscure implications, and potential irregularities. The backdrop for these events is the “Gin Tonic” estate in Punta del Este, Uruguay, where Minetti reportedly continued a lifestyle reminiscent of the Ruby case. A headline from “Il Fatto Quotidiano” on April 25 read: “Parties and Call Girls.” The summary stated: “No cell phones allowed on the ranch. A system of corruption, now under scrutiny by the Uruguayan government, to fuel sex trafficking.”
Justice Ministry Initiates Urgent Checks, First Results Expected Within 24 Hours
Following President Mattarella’s letter, Justice Minister Nordio promptly initiated investigations. The Ministry’s response indicated that checks are already underway, and “a possible first outcome could arrive within 24 hours.” The Ministry of Justice’s offices are coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office of the Court of Appeal in Milan, which had issued a favorable opinion on Minetti’s clemency. Gaetano Brusa, the deputy who signed the opinion, informed Ansa: “We have submitted the request, as the Attorney General’s Office, and are awaiting authorization from the Ministry of Justice to conduct further investigations based on what is emerging.” The Milan prosecutor’s office is now awaiting a delegation from the Ministry to conduct additional investigations, including abroad.
Under Italian law, a clemency measure granted by the Head of State can be revoked if certain conditions are met, such as the disappearance of the requirements that led to the clemency, in this case, the need to care for a sick minor.
Clemency and Minetti’s Personal Story
President Mattarella signed the clemency in February, but the decision remained undisclosed for two months. Recently, a scoop by the RaiTre program “Mi manda RaiTre,” in conjunction with “Il Fatto Quotidiano,” broke the silence, triggering a strong reaction on social media. At that point, the Quirinale felt compelled to clarify and explain the situation through an official note.
Two key aspects were addressed in the clarification. Firstly, the granting of clemency “was also based on the serious health conditions of a close minor family member” of Minetti, who requires “special assistance and care at highly specialized hospitals.” Regulations protecting children and adolescents, starting with the Carta di Treviso, prevented the Quirinale from disclosing further details about the relative’s health, which is why the Quirinale did not follow standard practice in announcing the clemency. The second point Mattarella wished to emphasize is that in the Italian legal system, clemency is not a personal act of mercy; the President is not a sovereign and does not decide alone. Minetti’s lawyer submitted the request to the Ministry of Justice, and the lengthy investigation concluded with a positive opinion and the signature of Minister Carlo Nordio. As stated in the Quirinale’s note, the Attorney General of the Court of Appeal issued a favorable opinion, “in a comprehensive assessment.” Subsequently, after reviewing the detailed report from the competent high magistrate, the Head of State signed the act.
Discretion Regarding the Minor’s Health
The Quirinale maintains absolute discretion regarding the minor whose health condition was the reason for the humanitarian clemency. However, it is widely known in political circles that Minetti periodically accompanies her seriously ill child to the USA for treatment.
Minetti’s Rebuttal
Nicole Minetti asserts that the disseminated information is “unfounded and severely damaging to my personal and family reputation.” She announced that she has instructed her lawyers to “proceed with a formal notice to the journalists and the publication against the dissemination of further false, defamatory, and harmful news.”
This article is being updated…
