Ep64 - They examined the documents

In Mar 2016, after nearly five years of investigation, Italian journalists andrea greco and Giuseppe Oddo published Eni: Lo Stato Parallelo.

Among the stories selected was one from Brazil.

Mine.

The Flinto Case was the only Brazilian story published in the book.

I have discussed Lo Stato Parallelo before. Today, I want to show what the journalists actually wrote about my case.

The chapter begins with Brazil, Petrobras and Saipem. Then, referring to the Code of Ethics, the authors make a striking transition:

🔹 its application, they wrote, can become a “boomerang” and even lead to dismissal.

They then introduce my story.

The book recounts that, in 2001, as an AGIP Brasil executive in Cuiabá, I received detailed reports of irregularities involving my direct superior and other employees.

After verifying the reports through documents and conversations with operators, I acted based on the Code of Ethics I had received when joining Agip.

Weeks later, I was dismissed.

The authors record that my superiors initially cited a breakdown of the relationship of trust. After I appealed to the Ethics Committee, the company gave another explanation: administrative and organizational restructuring.

The book also reports my communication to Eni’s Board, Angelo Mario Taraborrelli’s trip to Brazil, subsequent dismissals and AGIP Brasil’s sale to Petrobras in 2004.

It records my continued contacts with Eni’s shareholders and other stakeholders and the legal action Eni brought against me in 2010.

In 2014, the Court found the action unfounded.

The chapter ends with my position: I had become a victim of my own whistleblowing; my career had been destroyed, but I did not regret that ethical battle and would continue fighting to restore my name, honor and reputation.

Months later, I asked Greco why they had included my story.

His answer was significant:

🔴 “We decided to include your story because, after reading most of the documents you sent us and speaking with our sources, we became convinced that your story was solid, and that it was right and interesting to include it in the context of Lo Stato Parallelo”

Two Italian investigative journalists had examined the documents, consulted their own sources and decided to include the Flinto Case in an investigation into Eni.

That is the principle behind this campaign:

🔹 I am not asking anyone simply to believe me.

📌 I am asking them to examine the documents.

And this story had another consequence.

What I experienced after my whistleblowing and dismissal contributed to a decision that would change my professional life.

In 2003, the Brazilian Institute for Business Ethics was founded.

Tomorrow, I will tell that story.


❎ Learn more:

1️⃣ Book presentation

2️⃣ Chapter of the Flinto Case

3️⃣ E-mail Greco

4️⃣ Memorial (1999 - 2025)

5️⃣ Chronology of Facts for the Reconstruction of Events