Amid mounting controversy, Italian junior culture minister Vittorio Sgarbi resigned from his position following an antitrust inquiry into his acceptance of money for artistic events, and a separate investigation into his alleged possession of a stolen painting. Sgarbi claims to have received fees for his work, but the antitrust authority contends that these activities were incompatible with his government role. Previously, he was under scrutiny for making sexist remarks, and was removed from his position as mayor in Salemi in 2012 due to Mafia ties.