Brambilla (Noi Moderati) investigated in Milan for false invoicing. She defends herself

The deputy of Noi Moderati Michela Vittoria Brambilla is under investigation, together with other people, in an enquiry by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office for false invoicing. The investigation concerns the production of his TV programme 'Dalla parte degli animali', broadcast on Rete 4.

The online site of 'Repubblica' reported search activities by the Guardia di Finanza, later confirmed by qualified sources, at the offices of the Enci, that is the Italian National Dog Protection Agency, and of three television production companies and that do not concern the Member of Parliament. At least six people are under investigation in the file that intends to ascertain the manner of sponsorship of the programme hosted by Brambilla. The affair at the centre of the investigation was the subject of an episode of Report.

The investigation, entrusted to public prosecutors Antonio Pansa and Giancarla Serafini, with deputy Paolo Ielo, aims to reconstruct the way in which Enci sponsors the TV programme hosted by Brambilla. 'The money arrives at the production companies, but almost all of the money is then poured back to the parliamentarian herself, paying her precisely for the conduction. Through the use - is the investigative hypothesis that filters through -, of false invoices" as anticipated by 'Repubblica'. This scheme would entail fiscal benefits. The investigation aims to understand the flow of money from Enci to Brambilla and in what capacity the body acts as sponsor for the transmission.

From the MP's entourage they say that 'Michela Vittoria Brambilla has been hosting "Dalla parte degli animali" for many years and thanks to her it has become a successful programme. By virtue of a regular contract, she receives remuneration as the presenter of the programme and this remuneration, like all of Mrs Brambilla's income, is public because she is a Member of Parliament. The Enci is one of the sponsors of the programme and has therefore had more than one hundred television appearances per year in the programme with columns and moments dedicated to the promotion of dog breeds and the culture of love and respect for all dogs, mixed or purebred. Mr Brambilla, as presenter, maintains relations with the sponsors for the editorial content of the programme, while the contractual and administrative relations are held directly by the production company. The commercial mode of product placement is standard practice for the production of television programmes and is used by all national television stations'.