Vittorio Sgarbi, a prominent Italian art critic, has been acquitted of charges of money laundering during a brief trial in Reggio Emilia. The court found insufficient evidence to support the accusations against him regarding the painting 'The Capture of Saint Peter' by Rutilio Manetti. The local prosecutor had sought a prison sentence of over three years, citing the complex nature of the case that initially began in Macerata, where Sgarbi resides, before being moved to Reggio Emilia.

The case revolved around allegations that the painting was stolen from the Buriasco Castle in Turin back in February 2013. The artwork resurfaced in 2021, falsely attributed to Sgarbi and presented at an exhibition in Lucca as a new discovery of Manetti. The Italian Carabinieri, tasked with the protection of cultural heritage, conducted the investigation that revealed a questionable 3D reproduction of the painting related to Sgarbi, complicating the legal narrative surrounding the case.

The acquittal signifies a significant moment for Sgarbi, who has claimed that the judicial pursuit against him is part of a broader strategy to undermine his reputation, referring to it as a "mud machine" aimed at tarnishing his character. This case highlights ongoing issues relating to art theft, attribution, and legal battles within the art community in Italy, emphasizing the delicate balance between cultural heritage preservation and the legal systems that protect it.