Francesco Silvestro, a Forza Italia senator, has said sorry for comments dismissing the credibility of a woman who alleges he raped her in his office. He continues to deny any involvement in the alleged attack.
When contacted by La Repubblica about the rape allegation, Silvestro reportedly told the newspaper, “No way. If I say so myself, I’m a handsome guy, the lady is a normal lady.” On Monday he acknowledged those words were unacceptable.
“I apologise for the words I uttered during a telephone conversation with a journalist from La Repubblica,” the Forza Italia senator said in a statement. He described the expressions as ones he had considered colloquial but which he nonetheless recognised as wrong, and which “may have caused misunderstandings or offended sensibilities.”
Silvestro maintained his denial of the underlying allegation, stating he had already expressed his “legal astonishment” at the accusations and his readiness to provide any necessary clarifications.
The allegation
The woman, a 52-year-old wine businesswoman, alleges the attack took place when she visited Silvestro’s office to sell her products. She told La Repubblica she waited over a year to file a complaint because the experience had left her traumatised and she had been undergoing psychiatric treatment, which she credited with giving her the courage to come forward.
She also alleged that a Carabinieri officer related to Silvestro subsequently contacted her in an attempt to discourage her from filing a complaint. Silvestro is senator for Arzano in Naples.
Both Silvestro and the Carabinieri officer are currently under investigation, according to La Repubblica.
