Miriam Caroccia to prosecutors: "The money for the purchase came from Delmastro."

Rome – "The money used to purchase the equipment came from then-Undersecretary of Justice Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove." This is what Miriam Caroccia, 19, reportedly said during a two-hour interrogation before magistrates from the Rome District Anti-Mafia Directorate.

Her defense attorney, Fabrizio Gallo, made the announcement at the conclusion of the hearing at the Prosecutor's Office. The young woman is under investigation, along with her father, Mauro, as part of the investigation into the management of "Bisteccheria Italia," a restaurant on Via Tuscolana that has come under scrutiny for allegations of money laundering and fictitious asset registration.

The case is being coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Lorenzo Del Giudice. Former Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove, who is not currently under investigation, is also implicated in the case.

The defense's version

According to the lawyer, the girl had clarified the source of the money used for some expenses related to the restaurant's business.

"My client is deeply affected by this whole affair," said Gallo. "She also worked as a waitress at the steakhouse and explained her situation to the magistrates, clarifying where the money used for some of the company's supplies came from."

“This story is ruining my life”

During the interrogation, the young woman also reportedly showed strong tension due to the media coverage of the incident.

"This is ruining my life. I'm receiving threats on social media, people calling me a mafioso, I'm devastated. I've done nothing wrong. What am I going to do now?" she allegedly told the magistrates, according to her defense attorney.

Work in the restaurant

Speaking about Bisteccheria Italia, the restaurant at the center of the investigation, the 19-year-old also explained that she worked at the restaurant as a waitress, also taking care of cleaning the premises.

The Rome DDA's investigation is now continuing with further investigations to clarify the cash flows associated with the business's management. In this case, too, as required by law, the suspects are presumed innocent pending a final verdict.