David Rossi Monte dei Paschi bank media chief found dead
This picture shows a Monte dei Paschi bank on January 29, 2013 in Rome. The bank’s communications chief was found dead Thursday in an apparent suicide. The world’s oldest bank is under investigation for hiding losses.
David Rossi, the media spokesman for the embattled Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, was found dead Wednesday.
Monte dei Paschi, considered the world's oldest bank, is under investigation for hiding losses before the bailout.
Rossi, 51, had had his house searched by police recently but was not formally under investigation.
His body was found in the Sienna, Italy headquarters of the bank beneath an open window, said the Guardian.
It is still unclear if he committed suicide.
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“Rossi’s death is a terrible tragedy,” the bank said in a statement posted on its Facebook page, reported Bloomberg.
“This tragic event imposes above all respect for the person, for the mourning of the family and all of us.”
Rossi joined the bank's foundation in 2001 and then become the bank's chief spokesman in 2006.
Reuters reported that colleagues said that he was a serious and professional person who felt under stress from the investigation.
The bank was founded in 1472 and has about 3,000 branches and 33,000 employees.
It is accused of hiding more than 500 million euros.