Duilio Poggiolini (born 25 July 1929 in Rome), was general manager of the pharmaceutical department of the National Ministry of Health under Francesco De Lorenzo and was involved in the Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) scandal of Tangentopoli. He was member of the P2 Masonic lodge. Biography He graduated in medicine in 1954, majored in physiology and in 1963 achieved a position as professor of microbiology, in 1966 professor in chemotherapy, then in 1972 professor of hygiene. In 1972 he became inspector general at the Ministry of Health. In 1981 he became the Italian representative in the World Health Organization for the essential drugs program. In 1991 he was elected President of the Commission for pharmaceuticals concerned with EEC harmonization of medicine between the Member States of the European Economic Community. He was also vice president of the Italian Pharmacopoeia Commission. He also was the President of the European Union Committee for Proprietary Medical Products and Director General of the Italian Ministry of Health. On 20 September 1993 he was arrested at Lausanne, in Switzerland, due to a series of charges related to forgery and bribery in the management of health services, in favor of large pharmaceutical companies. Poggiolini tried to escape, but was found after a few weeks. The health bribery scandal Poggiolini initially denied having given instructions for price increases with compensation payments to Poggiolini and other officials of the Ministry. He was later accused of having favored the entry of some drugs on formulary after health payments and gifts, goods or money. At the time of his arrest over 15 billion lire in an account in Switzerland was seized; the account was registered to his wife, Maria Di Pierr Poggiolini. In addition to a house in Naples, the couple had several billion francs in gold ingots, jewels, paintings and ancient and modern coins (including gold Tsar Nicholas II rubles and South African Krugerrand). He was imprisoned in Poggioreale, Naples for seven months. At the outbreak of the scandal, he was given various nicknames by the press, including "The King Midas of Health" or the boss of malpractice (even the "monster of medical malpractice"). Before the discovery of the treasures, Poggiolini had led a simple life, almost poor, but when the search warrant was issued investigators required twelve hours to catalog the treasures hidden in closets, sofas, mattresses and ottoman cushions. The criminal offenses as revealed in the process