A former bank employee accused of snooping into the accounts of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other high-ranking politicians in Italy is under investigation.
Over a period of two years, the man from the southeastern city of Bari is said to have scrutinized the checking accounts of around 3,500 bank customers, including Meloni and some of her ministers, Italian media reported on Friday. The man’s motives are said to be unclear.
The unusual access to the accounts was noticed during an internal audit. The suspicion arose after the employee discovered regular account checks.
The man was fired and is now under investigation for unauthorized access to computer systems and attempts to obtain information. Police searched his home and confiscated smartphones and computer equipment.
It is alleged that the man also spied on credit card statements. By using the statements he was also able to track and reconstruct the movements of the politicians. According to media reports, the former bank employee denied downloading data.
Among the accounts spied on were those of Meloni’s sister Arianna and her ex-partner Andrea Giambruno, media said.
Other accounts allegedly spied on were those of the Italian Senate President, the Defense Minister and EU Commissioner-designate Roberto Fitto, all of whom belong to Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party.