The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a file regarding the academic qualifications of Marina Calderone, Italy's Minister of Labor and Social Policies, following a complaint by Saverio Regasto, a professor of Comparative Public Law at the University of Brescia. The complaint centers on whether Calderone's degrees, obtained in 2012 and 2016 from the Link Campus University, were acquired through irregularities.
Regasto's complaint prompted the prosecutor's office to open a file under the "model 45" classification, which is used for cases that do not currently suggest any crime or involve suspects. This procedural step is a standard response to formal complaints, allowing for an investigation into the claims made.
In his complaint, Regasto urged the authorities to investigate the legitimacy of the degrees Calderone earned, specifically questioning the circumstances surrounding their acquisition. He highlighted several points of concern, including the timing of her examinations, the possibility of taking multiple exams in a single day, and the fact that her husband was a member of the university's board during her studies.
Calderone has firmly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that her academic path has been transparent and legitimate. In a statement, she expressed her satisfaction with the prosecutor's initial findings, which concluded that there was no basis for criminal charges or suspects. "I take note with great satisfaction of what has been communicated to me by my lawyer, Cesare Placanica, regarding the determination of the Prosecutor of the Republic at the Court of Rome, which has sanctioned the non-existence of any hypothesis of crime and consequently has not registered any suspect in the register of news of crime," Calderone said.
She further emphasized, "For me, after this authoritative endorsement, fully in accordance with what I have always maintained, the story ends here. At this point, I have a duty to proceed for the crime of defamation for any malicious insinuation against my person." This statement reflects her intention to take legal action against any defamatory claims related to her academic credentials.
Calderone's lawyer, Cesare Placanica, reiterated that the prosecutor's office had classified the case as model 45, indicating that the allegations do not constitute a crime. "It is erroneous and misleading to claim that the Rome Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation concerning the university path of my client. In fact, it is true that no investigation is underway, nor could it be," Placanica stated.
The controversy surrounding Calderone's academic qualifications has drawn significant media attention, particularly due to allegations that she may have taken exams on days when the university was closed or that she received favorable treatment due to her husband's position. Reports have also suggested that she graduated with honors despite the irregularities in her course of study.
Calderone, who has been a member of the Italian government, has maintained that her two degrees—a bachelor's in Economics and a master's in Business Management—did not provide her with any undue advantages either professionally or politically. "I have worked since I was 19 years old and have always believed in study and continuous education. For this reason, I decided to undertake an additional course of study, without the aim of deriving any material benefit," she stated.
Despite the lack of evidence for any wrongdoing, the investigation will continue as the public prosecutors assess the claims made in Regasto's complaint. The findings will determine whether any further action is warranted. In the meantime, Calderone remains steadfast in her assertion that her academic history is valid and transparent.
As the situation develops, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by public officials regarding their educational backgrounds and the potential implications of perceived irregularities. The case also raises questions about the integrity of academic institutions and the processes by which degrees are awarded.
Regasto has expressed his hope that the investigation will clarify the circumstances surrounding Calderone's academic qualifications, stating, "The spirit with which I submitted the complaint was precisely to clarify a matter that, based on press articles, seemed rather unusual. Now I hope that the investigations will proceed, clarifying the facts and circumstances both of the university and of the minister."
In conclusion, while the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has not found any basis for criminal charges against Calderone at this time, the allegations surrounding her academic qualifications continue to attract attention. The outcome of this investigation may have significant implications for her political career and the public's perception of accountability among government officials.
