loading . . . Italian justice undersecretary under fire over business ties to daughter of convicted mafia figure A restaurant company, a teenage business partner linked to a family at the centre of an anti-mafia investigation, a series of photographs and a timeline overlapping with a final court conviction. Together, these elements have turned Italy’s justice undersecretary Andrea Delmastro into the focus of a growing political storm, now expected to reach parliament’s Anti-Mafia Committee in the coming days.
At the heart of the case is “Le 5 Forchette srl”, a company set up on 16 December 2024 in Biella, northern Italy. Among its shareholders was Delmastro, alongside several local members of the ruling Brothers of Italy party. The company’s sole director was Miriam Caroccia, who was just 18 at the time.
The firm operated a restaurant in Rome, “Bisteccheria d’Italia”, located on Via Tuscolana. Delmastro’s involvement was not marginal: he held a formal stake in a structured business venture with multiple shareholders and a clearly defined commercial activity.
This is what sets the case apart politically. It was not a casual acquaintance or social contact, but a direct business partnership.
The Caroccia link and the Senese clan
The controversy centres on Miriam Caroccia’s father, Mauro Caroccia, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for fictitious asset registration. His conviction stems from an investigation by Rome prosecutors into the Senese clan, a long-established Camorra-linked criminal network operating in the capital.
While no legal responsibility extends automatically to family members or business partners, the connection places the company in a highly sensitive context. The restaurant sector, in particular, has frequently been identified by investigators as a channel for laundering and managing illicit funds.
Complicating matters further, Rome prosecutors have opened a new investigative file into a network of companies linked to the Caroccia family, examining possible offences including money laundering and fictitious asset ownership. Among the entities under scrutiny is “Le 5 Forchette” itself.
At this stage, however, Delmastro is not under investigation.
The timing of the exit
The timeline of events has become a key point of contention. Between February and March 2026, following the finalisation of court rulings involving Mauro Caroccia, Delmastro and other political shareholders withdrew from the company.
The undersecretary first transferred his stake – reportedly via a company linked to him – before exiting entirely. Within weeks, the ownership structure shifted, leaving Miriam Caroccia as sole owner.
Opposition parties argue that the timing raises questions, suggesting a delayed reaction. The government, by contrast, presents it as evidence that Delmastro acted promptly once the broader context became clear.
The photos and restaurant visits
Adding to the controversy are a number of photographs published by Italian media.
One image from 2023 shows Delmastro together with Mauro Caroccia, taken roughly a year before the company was established. More recent photos place the undersecretary inside the Rome restaurant between January and June 2026, including occasions where he was accompanied by institutional figures such as his chief of staff.
La commissione Antimafia convoca Delmastro per il caso Caroccia. L'esponente di FdI sarà ascoltato dopo il referendum #ANSA https://t.co/StRwas0qBt
— Agenzia ANSA (@Agenzia_Ansa) March 22, 2026
While these images carry no legal implications, politically they reinforce the perception of non-occasional contact with the business environment linked to the Caroccia family.
Delmastro’s defence
Delmastro has firmly rejected any wrongdoing. His account hinges on a lack of prior knowledge: he says he was unaware of his partner’s family background at the time of entering the company.
According to his version, Miriam Caroccia appeared as a young entrepreneur with no criminal record or pending investigations. Only later, he argues, did her family ties become clear – prompting his decision to leave the company.
“I left as soon as I understood the situation,” he said, describing the move as a matter of “ethical and moral rigour”. He also stressed his long-standing anti-mafia stance and the fact that he lives under protection due to threats linked to his work.
Opposition backlash
Opposition parties have seized on the case, arguing that the issue goes beyond criminal liability.
The Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement and the Greens-Left alliance have framed it as a question of political appropriateness. Holding a position in the justice ministry, they argue, requires a higher threshold of caution – particularly in contexts even indirectly connected to organised crime.
Some have questioned the plausibility of an 18-year-old managing such a business independently, suggesting that the family’s role cannot be overlooked. Calls have followed for parliamentary clarification, intervention by the Anti-Mafia Committee and, in some cases, Delmastro’s resignation.
Government response
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended the undersecretary while acknowledging a possible lapse in judgement. She described his conduct as potentially “careless”, but rejected any suggestion of collusion.
The government’s line is clear: there is no criminal case, no evidence of ties to organised crime, and Delmastro withdrew once the situation became apparent.
It is a distinction aimed at containing political damage while avoiding escalation within the ruling coalition.
Heading to the Anti-Mafia Committee
The case is now expected to be examined by parliament’s Anti-Mafia Committee, which will decide whether and when to hear from Delmastro.
The focus is likely to be on the nature of the business relationship, the timing of the share transfers and the broader context of the company’s activities.
The original article in Italian by EUalive’s partner FocusEurope.it can be found here .
Caption: Italy’s justice undersecretary Andrea Delmastro and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni [Facebook page of Andrea Delmastro] https://eualive.net/italian-justice-undersecretary-under-fire-over-business-ties-to-daughter-of-convicted-mafia-figure/
