Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is currently under investigation for alleged child prostitution linked to the Ma.De. event agency based in Cinisello Balsamo, according to reports by journalist Giuseppe Guastella. Prosecutors Rosaria Stagnaro and Bruna Albertini are examining claims that the footballer engaged in a paid sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl in 2020. Bastoni’s legal counsel, Salvatore Scuto, has formally denied the allegations, stating the player is entirely extraneous to the facts under investigation.
Why Did Alessandro Bastoni Decline the Interrogation?
Alessandro Bastoni declined to appear for a scheduled interrogation on the morning of July 5, 2024, regarding the Ma.De. agency investigation. His attorney, Salvatore Scuto, confirmed that the decision was based on technical legal strategy rather than an admission of guilt. Scuto emphasized that the footballer is exercising his legal rights while maintaining his stance of non-involvement in the events described by investigators. The probe centers on the activities of the Ma.De. agency, which allegedly organized high-end dinners and after-parties involving Serie A players and various women.
What Is the Scope of the Ma.De. Agency Investigation?
The investigation into Ma.De. involves allegations of a structured network providing escort services to professional footballers. As reported by Guastella, the agency’s business model allegedly catered to the “after-match” demands of wealthy athletes. Since April, agency figures including owner Deborah Ronchi, her partner Emanuele Buttini, collaborator Luz Fraga, and PR representative Alessio Salamone have been held under house arrest. Prosecutors are currently cross-referencing chat logs and intercepted communications to determine the extent of the agency’s operations.
Investigators have begun calling Serie A players as witnesses in the Ma.De. case. While Bastoni is currently the only player under investigation, others, including Daniel Maldini, Kevin Bonifazi, and Riccardo Calafiori, have been summoned to testify regarding their knowledge of the agency’s events.
How Were Witnesses Recruited for Agency Events?
Testimony provided by a 20-year-old dancer, identified as S., describes a recruitment process that allegedly pressured women into attending events at the Pineta club in Milan. According to the witness, agency staff, including Alessio Salamone, would direct women to tables occupied by wealthy clients, primarily professional footballers. S. alleged that the agency utilized aggressive tactics, including physical handling, to ensure the presence of women at these tables. While the witness admitted to sexual encounters with clients, she denied receiving direct payments, though prosecutors hypothesize that clients paid an “all-inclusive” fee to the agency which then distributed funds to the participants.
The Role of Misleading Titles in the Investigation
A notable aspect of the investigation involves the discovery of individuals posing as public officials. During questioning, the witness S. mentioned a man she believed to be a “PM” (Pubblico Ministero/Public Prosecutor) who frequented the club and requested privacy. Further verification by investigators clarified that the individual was not a magistrate, but a “project manager.” This clarification highlights the complex, often opaque environment surrounding these high-profile social gatherings, where attendees frequently used pseudonyms or false professional titles to maintain anonymity.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is Alessandro Bastoni the only footballer involved?
According to current reports, Bastoni is the only Serie A player under investigation. Other players, such as Daniel Maldini, Kevin Bonifazi, and Riccardo Calafiori, have been summoned solely as witnesses.
What specific charges are being investigated?
The primary charge involving Bastoni relates to alleged child prostitution, specifically concerning a 2020 encounter with a 17-year-old girl. The broader investigation into the Ma.De. agency involves the management of escort services.
Are there other substances involved in the case?
Yes. Witness testimony indicated that nitrous oxide (laughing gas) was frequently used at these events, with participants describing it as a “kind of drug.” The agency reportedly facilitated the availability of these substances at the request of clients.
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