Ernesto Maria Ruffini, the Director
of Italy's Inland Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate), has
announced that he is quitting, complaining that the tax agency
has been "demonized" by attacks from politicians.
"I had never (before) seen public officials being branded as
extortionists of State protection money, or heard that the
Inland Revenue is holding families hostage, as if it were a
kidnapper," Ruffini said in an interview with Friday's Corriere
della Sera.
"The role of director of the agency has even been described as a
caricature, as if fighting tax evasion amounted to taking sides
and even something to be ashamed of...
"I have remained silent until now, out of a sense of the State.
"But if the tax authority itself is demonised, it strikes at the
heart of the State.
"I have always thought that tax evaders are the ones who harm
honest citizens".
The government has said it wants the tax authorities to have a
less confrontational relationship with the public.
Ruffini also denied speculation that he intended to enter the
political world, and bring together the centrist opposition
parties, while stating he had "the right to speak".
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