Judge Maria Francesca Mariano files complaint over TikTok fake news

Anti-mafia judge Maria Francesca Mariano of the Lecce Court has filed a formal complaint following the spread of defamatory disinformation on TikTok. The video used forged graphics mimicking the news outlet ‘La Repubblica’ to falsely claim that the magistrate was under investigation for alleged ties to the ’ndrangheta and for accepting bribes in exchange for judicial favors.

Judge Mariano, who has long required police protection due to previous threats, described the accusations as ‘absolutely false.’ Legal representatives noted that the profile responsible for the video used the name ‘balena blu’ and an email address containing the word ‘death,’ which the judge suggests indicates an intimidatory intent rather than mere misinformation. The incident has been reported to the Prosecutor of Lecce and the Questore.