The head of Italy’s anti-discrimination agency resigned Monday after allegedly earmarking government money to fund prostitution services at gay sex clubs.
Francesco Spano and his department authorized funding of up to 55,000 euros ($58,400) each for at least three clubs. The money was meant to promote diversity programs and anti-racism initiatives.
The scandal was exposed by television show “The Hyenas.” The crew visited the clubs and were offered to go to the “dark rooms” for sexual encounters.
The government released a statement saying Spano resigned “out of respect” for the work his office performed, but he denied it was an “admission of guilt.” The Italian consumer association, Codacons, demanded an investigation into the agency’s use of public funds.
“It is difficult to imagine that ‘positive action’ [against discrimination] could include in any fashion activities which include prostitution,” Codacons said in a statement, according to AFP.
Catholic associations and opposition parties took it a step further, and demanded the agency should be shut down altogether.
“Not one more euro of tax payers’ money should be thrown away on paying their salaries,” center-right leader Giorgia Meloni said.
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