According to Corriere dello Sport, the Milan prosecutor's office is fully launching an investigation into Ma.De Milano company's suspected involvement in organizing prostitution and money laundering.
When investigators were collecting evidence from the seized electronic devices, they identified a "keyword" list containing the names of 65 players based on surveillance records and investigative clues. Although buying sexual services is not illegal in Italy, these players are currently only regarded as potential witnesses rather than suspects. However, the police found that the total amount of money transferred by the players to the gang was close to 200,000 euros, and they are now focusing on verifying whether these payments involve "second-half after the game" services after parties.
As the testimonies of several newly adult women were revealed, the operational details of the gang surfaced. According to the informants, the ringleaders Buttini and Longhi controlled a resource pool of about 100 young women and instigated them to "hook up" with Serie A players in high-end nightclubs. The gang had a very clear division of labor, with some people responsible for screening girls and others acting as full-time drivers, sending the women to top hotels to meet with athletes. In these extravagant gatherings, inhaling "laughing gas" through balloons has become standard, and the scene is full of chaotic and psychedelic atmosphere.
The organization is also accused of serious economic exploitation and money laundering. At least 50% of the girls' hard-earned income was forcibly withheld by the organizers, and they even had to pay for the rent of the hotel rooms themselves. Currently, the Milan prosecutor's office has applied for and executed an asset seizure order of more than 1.2 million euros. Investigators have been working since Monday to find accounts and freeze funds corresponding to this amount, which are said to be the proceeds of money laundering. Documents show that the financial police have determined that some of the so-called illegal profits have been channeled to "foreign banks," especially four accounts in Lithuania, but these funds seem to have been transferred.
Currently, four core members, including Buttini and Longhi, have been placed under house arrest, and the court is scheduled to hold its first hearing for them on April 27.