Maurizio Venturi (born February 18, 1957) is an Italian former politician. A prominent member of the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), he served multiple terms in the Chamber of Deputies and held various governmental roles.
Venturi was born in Brescia, Italy. His political career began in the 1980s, rising within the ranks of the Italian Socialist Party.
Political Career:
- Member of the Chamber of Deputies: Venturi was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei deputati) in 1983, representing the Italian Socialist Party. He was re-elected for two subsequent legislatures, serving from 1983 to 1987 (IX Legislature), 1987 to 1992 (X Legislature), and 1992 to 1994 (XI Legislature).
- Government Roles: During his time in parliament, he also held positions within the executive branch. He served as an Undersecretary of State for Finance in several governments, including those led by Prime Ministers Giovanni Goria, Ciriaco De Mita, and Giulio Andreotti (specifically, the Andreotti VI government).
Tangentopoli Scandal: Venturi's political career was significantly impacted by the "Mani pulite" (clean hands) investigation, a nationwide judicial inquiry into political corruption in Italy during the early 1990s, often referred to as Tangentopoli. He was among the many politicians implicated in the scandal. In 1995, Venturi was sentenced for receiving illicit financing, specifically related to funds from the Montedison industrial group. This period marked the end of his active political involvement.