Italy's populist premier Giuseppe Conte on Friday expressed solidarity with oil and gas giant Eni's chief executive Claudio Descalzi, whose Congolese wife's business dealings are reportedly being probed by investigators in Milan.
"We are talking about matters that concern Descalzi's wife. Criminal responsibility is personal and unless any facts emerge that could incriminate Descalzi, I have confidence in him," said Conte.
Through a Luxembourg-based holding, a company owned by Descalzi's wife Marie Magdalena Ingoba hired boats and logistical equipment to Eni's Congo subsidiary during the period 2012-2105 under a contract worth 105 million dollars, Italy's Corriere della Sera daily reported on Thursday.
Descalzi became Eni's CEO on 9 May 2014 and was previously head of its exploration and production.