10 Facts About Aldo Brancher

Aldo Brancher was a key figure in the publication of the Paulines' magazine, Famiglia Cristiana.

In 1993, while working for Fininvest, Brancher was caught up in the Tangentopoli political corruption scandal.

Aldo Brancher served three months in San Vittore prison for false accounting and for illegally funding the Italian Socialist Party, but was released on a technicality following a ruling by the Court of Cassation.

Aldo Brancher was elected to the 14th legislature of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in May 2001 and was re-elected in April 2006 and April 2008.

Aldo Brancher was appointed as a Secretary of State with responsibility for reform on 12 May 2008.

Aldo Brancher was named as a minister without portfolio, with specific responsibility for federalism, on 18 June 2010.

At the time of his appointment, Aldo Brancher was facing trial for alleged embezzlement during the 2005 takeover of Antonveneta.

When, just a few days later, Aldo Brancher invoked an immunity law that protects ministers from prosecution, the opposition accused Berlusconi of making the appointment solely to save his friend from the court hearing.

Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy, rejected Aldo Brancher's invocation of the right to immunity, suggesting that, as Aldo Brancher was a minister without portfolio, there was no actual Ministry work preventing him from standing trial.

Aldo Brancher acquiesced and announced his resignation during the opening day of his trial on 5 July 2010.