The Il Sole 24 Ore board on Monday
granted the request of the financial daily's editor, Roberto
Napoletano, to be placed on unpaid leave amid a
three-million-euro misappropriation probe, to be replaced on an
interim basis by Guido Gentili.
The newspaper's staff had said they would strike until
Napoletano resigned.
Tax police on Friday raided the Il Sole 24 Ore group offices
in a probe where 10 people are under investigation for false
reporting and misappropriation to the tune of 3 million euros.
Among those probed for false reporting are the former
chairman of the group, Benito Benedini, former CEO Donatella
Treu and Napoletano.
The probe is focused on the suspected fictitious registration
of tens of thousands of digital subscriptions, police said.
Il Sole said in a statement it had complete faith in the
judiciary, which it was sure would get to the bottom of things,
and was weighing actions to safeguard shareholders.
Napoletano voiced "full, total and absolute confidence in the
investigating magistrature" and said "I am certain I will be
able to demonstrate in all fora the full correctness of my
conduct, which I have shown all my life".
Il Sole 24 Ore is Italy's leading financial daily. The group
also controls a business radio station, Radio24.
Journalists at Il Sole said they would strike until
Napoletano stepped down, and staff at Radio24 also announced a
strike.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
