"I haven't received any paperwork, no investigative report. Let's see. Then we'll have some fun."

In an interview with Repubblica, Forza Italia Senator Francesco Silvestro, 55, a businessman and former councilor in Arzano, in the province of Naples, responded to a businesswoman's accusations of sexual assault that allegedly occurred in the parliamentary offices of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

Silvestro says he remembers that meeting, but "nothing happened. A friend of mine, a civil servant on secondment to the Senate, brought the lady to my office." He continues: " Modestly, I'm a good-looking guy; the lady is a normal woman. One can say whatever one wants. But then things need to be proven. Maybe she's trying to extort something from me. I know the lady also goes to other senators to sell wine. That day she said she wanted to go to dinner, but then she never came again."

The incident is believed to have occurred over a year ago. The victim, a 52-year-old woman, had been summoned to discuss the purchase of a supply of wines for the inauguration of Silvestro's villa in Capri. So far, the evidence is certain.

What happened in the MP's office, however, remains to be investigated. The woman claims she was sexually assaulted and left the office in tears. In shock, she didn't immediately report the incident, but after a year of therapy, she reportedly decided to do so.

Senate President Ignazio La Russa has asked the Quaestors "to proceed with the investigations necessary for the subsequent evaluations within the purview of the Presidential Council." Article 67 of the Senate Rules of Procedure, to which he refers, provides that "in the case of particularly serious incidents occurring within the Senate building but outside the Chamber," the President may "refer the matter to the Presidential Council, which, after consulting with the Senators involved, may decide on sanctions." To this end, the President and the Quaestors will meet next Tuesday.

(Unioneonline/D)

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