M5S Fico says never knew of Quarto blackmail

Rome, February 3 - Roberto Fico, a senior lawmaker for the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), reiterated before parliament's anti-mafia commission on Wednesday that he never knew of alleged threats in the town of Quarto, near Naples. The town's local council is at the centre of allegation of mafia infiltration. This was an embarrassment to the movement, as its executive had been elected on an M5S ticket. Last month Rosa Capuozzo resigned as mayor of Quarto after being ejected from the M5S. Capuozzo said she had told M5S bigwigs in November about threats she allegedly received from fellow councillor Giovanni De Robbio, who is allegedly linked to the Camorra. The M5S has denied this, saying it was only informed in December and expelled De Robbio days after. "I never knew of blackmail, threats or extortion," said Fico, who is also head of the parliamentary oversight body of State broadcaster RAI. "I said this to the prosecutors and I repeat it here. "The mayor of Quarto never told me about threats or blackmail, she never gave me that impression. "I don't have a crystal ball". Fico also bemoaned the state of the Italian media, especially TV, when asked to comment on how the Quarto story was covered. "We live in a terrible time for journalism," he said. "TV is a dangerous medium, it creates psychological pressure, but the public shouldn't feel subjected to anyone".