Sensitive Data Only Used Confidentially, Claims Former Police Officer Gallo

ROME: Carmine Gallo, a former top police officer currently under house arrest, has admitted to obtaining sensitive data but insists it was used solely in a confidential manner. Gallo is accused of leading a suspected computer snooping gang alongside ex-Milan Fair Foundation president Enrico Pazzali. The group allegedly accessed confidential information on business, political, and showbusiness figures, according to judicial sources on Thursday.

According to Ansa News Agency, during questioning on Wednesday, Gallo, who was interrogated by investigators from the DDA anti-mafia and anti-terror directorate and the DNA national anti-mafia office, stated that he did not use the confidential information to harm reputations or for financial gain. Instead, he claimed the information was kept confidential. Gallo, represented by attorneys Antonella Augimeri and Paolo Simonetti, argued that any potential illicit use of the information could not be attributed to him.

Gallo, who served as an administrator at Pazzali’s Equ
alize agency, further told prosecutors that he did not participate in any software violations that would compromise confidential information. Investigators are examining the alleged extensive creation of dossiers through the unauthorized acquisition of data from sensitive national databases. The investigation implicates several entrepreneurs allegedly involved in commissioning reports from a hacker group.

Prosecutors indicate that these entrepreneurs were aware of the illicit methods used to gather the information. The suspected gang, which allegedly included top hacker Nunzio Calamucci, also under house arrest, is believed to have had contacts within the National Cybersecurity Agency CAN, among other entities, according to investigators.