Operation would have been rigged for money laundering
The sale of Milan to Chinese investor Li Yonghong, completed in April last year, could be in the sights of the Italian justice system.
According to a report published today (13) by the newspaper “La Stampa”, the Milan Prosecutor's Office already has an investigation open to investigate whether the 740 million euro operation – which provided for an extra 200 million euros to pay the club's debts - may have been defrauded to cover up money laundering. Li Yonghong is the owner of the Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux holding company, which currently owns 99,93% of Milan.
The group bought Fininvest's share in the club, the holding company owned by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and which controlled the team for more than 30 years, a period in which it enjoyed its most successful era.
According to the “La Stampa” report, the sale value would have been “inflated” by 300 million euros so that a million-dollar portion of the amount could “return to Italy”, in a money laundering transaction.
The investigation would be carried out by prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale, who has already investigated Berlusconi in the past for crimes of tax fraud in television rights. However, Milan's Attorney General, Francesco Greco, said that there is no State investigation open against Milan, denying the “La Stampa” report.
In a statement, the newspaper assured that there is evidence, obtained from two sources, about the opening of the investigation.
The story could harm Berlusconi, leader of the Força Italia party, in the elections scheduled for March 4, when a new government will be formed in the country.
By EARTH
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