On March 16, 2025, the investigation surrounding the espionage activities linked to the private agency Equalize has taken new and troubling turns. The firm, at the center of allegations related to illegal data gathering, finds itself under intense scrutiny following revelations from Carmine Gallo, the agency's former operative, whose recent death raises questions about the depth of the inquiry.
Gallo, widely recognized as one of Italy's most accomplished police officers, was found dead on March 9, 2025, his passing attributed to natural causes stemming from a heart attack, as indicated by initial autopsy results. His unexpectedly sudden demise occurred just days before this new wave of revelations.
At the heart of the controversy lies Enrico Pazzali, the president of Equalize. He has been accused of orchestrancing illegal surveillance initiatives, prompting prosecutors to seek his house arrest after the local judiciary initially denied the request. Reports suggest Pazzali might have utilized illegal services provided by other hackers to attain confidential information concerning the investigation and the details involved therein.
Pazzali finds himself embroiled not only due to his position as head of Equalize but also owing to his allegedly extensive ties within institutional and intelligence circles. Gallo had previously underscored Pazzali's proximity to the Secret Services, establishing the dangerous nature of their connection. According to Gallo, Pazzali expressed knowledge of the investigation's progress—information he appeared to have received from unnamed sources.
Documents from the investigation revealed Pazzali's request for Gallo to procure private information on “La Russa” and his son via unauthorized access to police databases, showcasing the kind of high-level surveillance operations Equalize embarked upon.
The prosecutors described Pazzali as “a dangerous and unscrupulous man,” capable of maintaining dual personas—one public and the other clandestine. Reportedly, he demonstrated awareness of the establishment of criminal investigations linked to activities ranging from waste management to hacking attempts involving Italy's intelligence infrastructure.
Gallo's interrogation transcripts reveal he was privy to sensitive information about Pazzali. He recounted how Pazzali had once conceded, "I have learned...that interrogations were made surrounding the investigation." This suggests significant damage control measures were executed by Pazzali after he became privy to his precarious situation.
On January 10, 2023, less than 24 hours after Gallo and hacker Samuele Calamucci allegedly removed sensitive documents from Equalize’s headquarters, reports indicated they executed “cleanup” efforts on the agency’s digital infrastructure to erase any incriminatory evidence. With Gallo’s lawyer, Antonella Augimeri, threatened on February 20, 2023, by unnamed individuals aiming to dissuade her client’s alleged cooperation with the investigation, the tension surrounding this case escalated significantly.
Carmine Gallo's extensive law enforcement experience had uniquely positioned him to tackle organized crime but the shocking turn of events within Equalize, compounded with the suspicious circumstances of his death, raise many questions. Gallo was often seen as a pivotal figure whose insight could illuminate the depths of Pazzali's illicit operations. Reports now suggest Gallo’s extensive list of contacts made him privy to dangerous undercurrents within the operational framework of Equalize, hinting at strategic collaborations with figures who could shield Pazzali from penalties.
More startling was testimony from Giulio Cornelli, another key informant, who disclosed Gallo's work, which included document requests for clients of Eni, reports about Armanna and Amara, both connected to significant criminal proceedings against Italy's oil giant. Cornelli referred to fetching files labeled “For the Israeli cousins,” creating speculation surrounding any potential link to foreign espionage activities.
This mix of political intrigue and business surveillance encapsulates how intertwined the threads of power can be, particularly within environments like Equalize, which channels resources toward high-level information gathering. With over 30,000 emails and extensive chat records retrieved from Pazzali’s devices during investigations, the digital footprint left by such operations underlines the vast scope of the agency's efforts.
Notably, Pazzali's interactions were deemed concerning enough by Milan’s prosecutors to justify calling for house arrest, pointing to both the potential risk he poses to public order and to the integrity of the judicial process. He had reportedly gained prior access to sensitive investigative information due to his high-level connections within government agencies.
Continuing investigations will seek not only to understand the inner workings of Equalize but also to grasp the broader ramifications of these revelations on Italy's political and security frameworks. The intertwining of Pazzali's ambitions with questionable ethics raises urgent questions about accountability within private investigator firms working closely with state apparatus.
The narrative surrounding Carmine Gallo's demise, and the wider scandal relating to Equalize, remains fluid, with law enforcement agencies working diligently to piece together layers of this deeply rooted investigation.
Beneath lies the unsettling fact of how far-reaching and deeply embedded corporate espionage activities can infiltrate various national sectors, showcasing vulnerabilities not only within private industries but also threatening national security frameworks.
These unsettling developments should not only alert law enforcement but warrant attention from regulatory bodies overseeing data handling and investigative practices. With the close interweaving of personal ethics and professional conduct within the growing world of cyber-assets, transparency and accountability must prevail as standard practice…otherwise, who holds the watchdog accountable?