Roberto Fico, a senior
lawmaker for the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S),
reiterated before parliament's anti-mafia commission on
Wednesday that he never knew of alleged threats in the town of
Quarto, near Naples.
The town's local council is at the centre of allegation of
mafia infiltration.
This was an embarrassment to the movement, as its
executive had been elected on an M5S ticket.
Last month Rosa Capuozzo resigned as mayor of Quarto after
being ejected from the M5S.
Capuozzo said she had told M5S bigwigs in November about
threats she allegedly received from fellow councillor Giovanni
De Robbio, who is allegedly linked to the Camorra.
The M5S has denied this, saying it was only informed in
December and expelled De Robbio days after.
"I never knew of blackmail, threats or extortion," said
Fico, who is also head of the parliamentary oversight body of
State broadcaster RAI.
"I said this to the prosecutors and I repeat it here.
"The mayor of Quarto never told me about threats or
blackmail, she never gave me that impression.
"I don't have a crystal ball".
Fico also bemoaned the state of the Italian media,
especially TV, when asked to comment on how the Quarto story was
covered.
"We live in a terrible time for journalism," he said.
"TV is a dangerous medium, it creates psychological
pressure, but the public shouldn't feel subjected to anyone".
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