Maria Rosaria Boccia scandal embarrasses Italian Culture Ministry

Maria Rosaria Boccia, a self-styled influencer and entrepreneur with unclear professional credentials, has sparked a scandal after announcing on Instagram that she had been appointed 'Consigliere dei Grandi Eventi' (Advisor for Major Events) at Italy's Ministry of Culture. The Ministry swiftly denied the claim, calling it false. However, reports reveal that Boccia had been involved in preparations for the G7 Culture summit in Pompeii (September 19-21), accompanying Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on official trips and participating in work chats as a 'staff member.' Sangiuliano later confirmed she was 'removed' from the role. Boccia's background includes founding the 'Festival della Bellezza' in Pompeii, presenting a project on aesthetic medicine regulation in Parliament, and claiming leadership of 'Fashion week Milano moda,' which the National Chamber of Fashion disavowed. The opposition parties Partito Democratico and Italia Viva have filed parliamentary questions to clarify whether the appointment was formalized, if Boccia previously held any official role, and whether ministry funds were involved. The incident adds to a series of gaffes by Sangiuliano, including mislocating Times Square in London and a social media error that aged Naples by 2000 years, raising concerns about the ministry's credibility.