Critical week for oil probe (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, April 4 - Southern Italian prosecutors on Monday quizzed Reform and Relations with Parliament Minister Minister Maria Elena Boschi in a probe involving former industry minister Federica Guidi's oil-industry businessman boyfriend Gianluca Gemelli. Judges have yet to set a date for questioning Guidi, who resigned last week over a phone call telling Gemelli about a government amendment that would benefit him.
    Gemelli is being investigated for corruption conspiracy and falsely claiming influence over a public official in order to obtain bribes. While neither Guidi nor Boschi are under investigation, wiretaps emerged last week in which Guidi discussed with Gemelli an amendment to a budget bill containing measures for the development of the Tempa Rossa oil field in Italy's south, which Boschi signed. Premier Matteo Renzi said the amendment was his, and as such he is willing to be questioned in the matter, but investigators have thus far indicated they don't intend to interview him. An appeal will be heard this week on a second prosecution request for an arrest warrant for Gemelli, which has been rejected by a preliminary hearing judge. Meanwhile, the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) will hold a demonstration Monday in the town of Viggiano in the Basilicata region to protest over the scandal regarding the ENI oil production plant there, where five ENI staffers were arrested on suspicion of illegal waste trafficking and disposal.
    M5S chief Beppe Grillo tweeted that party members will be at the Tempa Rossa oil field "for an inspection".
    Renzi's Democratic Party (PD) will hold a meeting of senior party members on Monday, where one of the matters to be discussed is the rejection of an April 17 referendum on offshore oil and gas drilling in Italy, which PD officials have said would be a "pointless" waste of 300 million euros of taxpayer money. As well, Codacons consumer group said it has asked prosecutors to extend their investigation to Boschi in order to assess her responsibility in the matter. It cited recent media reports that Boschi allegedly caved to pressure from oil lobbies. Renzi has said Boschi had nothing to do with the amendment other than signing off on it, which she was duty-bound to do in her capacity as relations with parliament minister.