Bulgari has hit out at officials leading an investigation into tax evasion at the luxury watch and jewellery company, claiming that journalists were informed of the investigation before the individuals at the centre of the probe.
The statement has been released following reports in the press last week that Italian authorities had confiscated €46 million (£39.7m) of its assets.
A statement from the group said: "Bulgari wishes to point out that some media were informed of the procedure even before it was notified to the individuals involved. This is a serious breach of the rules and principles that guarantee the rights of citizens. Bulgari will seize the competent authorities of this serious breach in pursuit of a media destabilisation. On the merits, Bulgari is fully confident in the outcome of the procedure."
The group has also said that some claims made about its business, concerning the period from 2006 to 2011, are "unfounded, which will be demonstrated before the competent authorities".
It added: "Following an official report drawn up by the Italian Guardia di Finanza, in December 2012, some top managers and directors of the Bulgari Group on duty at the time of the events [2006 to 2011], have been notified an order for a precautionary seizure.
"The company reminds that the foreign companies at issue that were defined as fictive are real and genuine companies performing an undisputable strategic role for the Group and employing about 300 employees of various profiles."
