Reggio Emilia court acquits Sgarbi of money laundering charge over Rutilio Manetti painting

Vittorio Sgarbi was acquitted by the Court of Reggio Emilia, in abbreviated form, of thecharge of money laundering related to the affair of Rutilio Manetti ’s painting The Capture of St. Peter, owned by the Cavallini Sgarbi Foundation, which was exhibited between 2021 and 2022 at the exhibition I pittori della luce held at the Cavallerizza in Lucca.

The painting had been placed under evidentiary seizure at the disposition of the Carabinieri of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale, following a measure that was taken as part of an investigation by the Macerata Public Prosecutor’s Office related to the alleged crime of money laundering against the art critic. The investigation was aimed at ascertaining the provenance of the painting, following a theft complaint filed on February 14, 2013 by Margherita Buzio, owner of the Buriasco Castle, from which, in 2013, a painting by Rutilio Manetti was stolen that, according to the Report and Fatto Quotidiano journalistic investigation that raised the case, bore strong similarities and many elements in common with the painting owned by Sgarbi (here is a summary of the affair and subsequent developments).

“After a regular trial, before the judicial bodies, Prof. Vittorio Sgarbi was acquitted because the fact does not constitute a crime even from the residual charge; after the filing, for two other crimes originally charged, already achieved at the outcome of the preliminary investigation,” Vittorio Sgarbi’s defense attorneys, lawyers Alfonso Furgiuele and Giampaolo Cicconi, commented on the acquittal ruling. “This shows - once again - how the mud machine activated with media tools causes unjust - and difficult to repair - moral and material damage, for an innocent citizen.”

In the photo below, Sgarbi at the Lucca exhibition.

Reggio Emilia court acquits Sgarbi of money laundering charge over Rutilio Manetti painting

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.