Italy bribery scandal widens, casts pall on government

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A widening bribery scandal which has already forced the industry minister to resign is threatening to engulf Italy's ruling class, with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi under growing pressure to stop the rot.

Prosecutors suspect that building entrepreneur Diego Anemone, who is under investigation for corruption, bestowed favors -- if not outright bribes -- upon scores of people to win public works and other lucrative contracts.

Italian media published on Thursday and Friday a list of around 400 high-profile individuals suspected of having benefited from construction work done by Anenome.

The list includes politicians, police and secret service officials, civil servants and executives at state television RAI, many of them close to Berlusconi's center right.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64D3CA20100514