**Banking Scandal Unfolds in Italy as Clerk Accused of Spying on Thousands of Accounts**

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni finds herself at the heart of a developing scandal as a bank branch employee from Italy's largest bank is accused of unauthorized access to thousands of private accounts. The accused, Vincenzo Coviello, a 52-year-old clerk at Banca Intesa Sanpaolo, allegedly spied on over 3,500 accounts belonging to high-profile figures, including politicians, businesspeople, celebrities, and athletes.

Coviello's illicit activities reportedly began in February 2022 and continued for more than two years, during which he accessed clients' accounts 6,976 times without authorization. His actions have been seen as a significant breach of privacy laws and a potential threat to national security. Among those targeted were Prime Minister Meloni herself, her sister Arianna, the coordinator of the Brothers of Italy party, and her former partner, Andrea Giambruno.

The list of politicians whose accounts were allegedly accessed includes Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Minister for European Affairs Raffaele Fitto, Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche, and President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa. The financial affairs of the heirs of deceased businessman and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, businessman Lapo Elkann, former footballer Francesco Totti, and singer Al Bano were also reportedly scrutinized by Coviello.

The sensitive information Coviello had access to included the times and locations of cash withdrawals, online and card payments, and bank transfers. Such information could reveal a person's whereabouts, contacts, business dealings, properties, and debts, which could be exploited by business competitors, political opponents, or fraudsters. Investigators are probing whether any of this data was sold, especially on the dark web, although Coviello denies saving or sharing any information and claims he was driven by a "psychological compulsion."

Prosecutors in Bari have launched an investigation into the allegations, with Coviello being fired from his position in August following an internal disciplinary inquiry by Banca Intesa Sanpaolo. Despite his claims of acting alone, prosecutor Roberto Rossi suggested he may have had an unidentified accomplice.

Prime Minister Meloni has portrayed the scandal as an attempt by "pressure groups" to unseat her and disturb the democratic process. She stated that her government, which allegedly cannot be blackmailed or influenced, remains the target of such efforts. However, the ongoing investigation has not yet uncovered evidence supporting her claim of a concerted plot.

This incident adds to previous concerns raised by Meloni about efforts to undermine her leadership. Earlier, Antonio Laudati, a magistrate, and Pasquale Striano, an officer in the Guardia di Finanza, were investigated for unauthorized access to files from the Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate involving Meloni and her government. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi noted these incidents have raised suspicions regarding attempts to disrupt democratic processes, though no concrete evidence of such a plot has been found to date.