Audit Court sources said Friday that the furore over the alleged involvement in official communications and trips of a woman Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano had an affair with "has not gone unnoticed", adding that the State auditor was "making evaluations on the case".
Members of the centre-left opposition have asked for Sangiuliano's resignation after reports that influencer and businesswoman Maria Rosaria Boccia may have had access to email exchanges regarding the upcoming G7 Culture meeting.
Sangiuliano, 62, admitted having a relationship with Boccia in an long interview with State broadcaster Rai on Wednesday, but denied that she had had access to classified information or that public money was spent on her.
He said Boccia had been set to be made an official advisor for major events but he "revoked her appointment" because of the relationship between them.
He also said he had offered his resignation to Premier Giorgia Meloni over the case but she had declined.
Boccia, 41, has disputed the minister's version of events.
Sangiuliano's lawyer Silverio Sica said Friday that there was "no evidence that the minister has been blackmailed", adding the case was an "extremely private" one.
He also said the minister was considering filing a complaint to prosecutors about Boccia's statements.
The parliamentary committee that oversees Rai, meanwhile, will meet on Tuesday after opposition parties complained about the amount of airtimeTG1 news devoted to the Sangiuliano interview.
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