Roman singer and DJ Ludovico Franchitti, known as Ludwig, is under investigation by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office in connection with alleged extortion demands targeting Italian midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, La Repubblica reported. The probe forms part of a wider investigation into illegal betting networks operating in the Italian capital.
Investigators from the Central Operational Service (SCO) and the Rome Flying Squad executed search warrants targeting five suspects, including Franchitti and former Ancona sporting director Luca Gerilli, as reported by RomaToday and Il Resto del Carlino. The case stems from a separate dossier originally opened in Turin following Fagioli’s voluntary disclosures to authorities in October 2023.
According to documents signed by prosecutors Daria Monsurrò and Silvia Sereni, prosecutors allege that Franchitti and other intermediaries pressured Fagioli—who played for Juventus at the time of the events and currently represents Fiorentina—to hand over €40,000 under threats of ruining his professional career, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported. Fagioli is listed as an injured party in the current proceedings.
Digital Evidence Seized by Rome Prosecutors
Law enforcement officers seized mobile phones and digital storage devices from the suspects to examine messaging histories, call logs, and financial records. Investigators are parsing a series of WhatsApp audio messages and written exchanges between Franchitti and the player dating back to early 2023. In an audio recording from February 25, 2023, Franchitti reportedly cautioned the player about the risks posed by certain individuals in Rome while attempting to reassure him, according to RomaToday.
Subsequent messages analyzed by the SCO allegedly show mounting pressure on Fagioli following a March 13, 2023 incident outside a gym where creditors confronted him over mounting gambling debts. Prosecutors state that Fagioli had accumulated over two million euros in gambling obligations within an illicit wagering circle operating in the capital.
Alongside the extortion allegations, prosecutors have contested charges of operating unauthorized betting activities against Franchitti and another associate, designated in court documents as A.P., RomaToday noted. Digital warrants also target communications linked to various pseudonyms and operational monikers uncovered during the probe, including aliases such as “Massimo Boldi,” “Nelly,” and “Bet22.”
Attorneys Maintain Client Had No Direct Contact with Accused
Attorneys Gian Maria Nicotera and Francesco Caroleo Grimaldi, representing Franchitti, maintain that their client had no direct contact with the other individuals accused of extortion, Il Resto del Carlino reported. The examination of the seized digital memories will determine whether the messages and audio exchanged with Fagioli constitute aggravated extortion or reflect mutual credit and debt relationships arising from illicit gambling.
The investigation also involves Luca Gerilli, who served as sporting director for club Ancona from November 2025 until his resignation in September of the following year. Gerilli faces allegations of aggravated extortion in conspiracy with other suspects, a charge shared by a betting agency employee who has formally denied any wrongdoing, according to Il Resto del Carlino.
Authorities continue to examine the financial trails and digital records recovered during last week’s operations to determine the exact flow of funds through the Roman betting network.
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