Tourism minister asked to stand trial for fraud

 ROME The Milan prosecutor's office renewed its request on Wednesday for Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè and several others to stand trial on charges of false accounting related to allegedly fraudulent COVID-19 relief benefits tied to her former company, Visibilia.

 During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors Marina Gravina and Luigi Luzi maintained their stance, emphasizing the accusations involving Santanchè’s current partner, Dimitri Kunz, her former partner Canio Giovanni Mazzaro, her sister Fiorella Garnero, and other companies associated with the business group from which Santanchè has since stepped down from her roles.

 Santanchè, who previously faced a no-confidence vote in the Senate over accusations of unpaid supplier debts and layoffs without redundancy payments, is also alleged to have improperly received COVID-19 aid, leading to further calls for her resignation. Now 63, Santanchè sold her stake in Visibilia upon becoming minister and has denied any wrongdoing, asserting her innocence and promising to defend her name should the case proceed to court.

 Opposition parties have called for her immediate resignation and insist she should step down if formally indicted.

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