Italian businessman is mastermind behind journalist bomb attack, police say

An Italian businessman, Valter Lavitola, is suspected of orchestrating a bomb attack on journalist Sigfrido Ranucci in October, according to police. Lavitola, who has connections to former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, is accused of ordering the attack outside Ranucci's residence in Pomezia, a town near Rome. The two men are friends, according to police.

The bombing destroyed two cars belonging to Ranucci, who was known for investigating corruption and the mafia. Ranucci had just returned home at the time of the explosion. His daughter had passed by the house 30 minutes earlier, according to his employer. Ranucci, who has been under police protection since 2021 due to his aggressive reporting, was not injured in the blast.

Lavitola allegedly instructed Tavares Gomes Clesio to recruit four men to place the bomb. The four men were arrested near Naples in June for carrying out the attack. Police are still searching for Gomes. Lavitola and Gomes participated in an initial inspection of Ranucci's home in September. Lavitola believed the bombing would boost Ranucci's profile ahead of a potential political career, according to police.

Ranucci, a popular figure on the Rai state broadcaster's investigative show "Report," did not face any accusations. He was unaware of Lavitola's plans and has faced numerous threats, including one day after the attack. Ranucci described Lavitola as a "true friend." Lavitola, a former journalist and businessman, is well-known in Italy for his ties to Berlusconi.

In 2015, Berlusconi was convicted of bribing a senator, receiving a three-year sentence. The same sentence was given to Lavitola, who was accused of providing the money to the senator. The bomb attack on Ranucci took place on the eighth anniversary of the car bombing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who extensively reported on suspected corruption in political and business circles.