Corruption and money laundering arrested Paolo Arata, former consultant of the League, and his son

Paolo Arata, a former energy consultant for the League and a former Forza Italia MP, and his son Francesco have been arrested. They are charged with corruption, money laundering, and fictitious asset registration. They are alleged to be secret partners of Trapani-based wind energy entrepreneur Vito Nicastri, believed by magistrates to be one of the financiers behind Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro's fugitive status. The arrest was ordered by Palermo investigating judge Guglielmo Nicastro at the request of the Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) led by Francesco Lo Voi. The Aratas have been under investigation for months for a bribe scheme involving the Sicilian regional government, which also involves Nicastri, who was returned to prison in April because he continued to conduct illegal business while under house arrest. The Aratas were also involved in the business, and according to prosecutors, they are Nicastri's partners. In addition to the two Aratas, the judge ordered the arrest of Nicastri, who was served the order in prison because he was already incarcerated, and his son Manlio, also under investigation for corruption, money laundering, and fictitious registration. Former regional Energy Department official Alberto Tinnirello, accused of corruption, was placed under house arrest. A portion of the investigation ended up in Rome in recent months after wiretaps revealed a bribe payment by Arata to former Northern League Undersecretary of Infrastructure Armando Siri. In exchange for the money, Siri allegedly submitted an amendment to the Economic and Financial Document (DEF), which was never approved, regarding incentives for mini-wind farms, a sector in which the former Northern League consultant had invested. Meanwhile, the investigation into corruption at the Sicilian Regional Government, which today led to the arrests of the Aratas and Nicastris, remains underway in Palermo. According to Palermo prosecutors, all were at the center of a bribe ring that allegedly helped Nicastri and his secret partner obtain permits for his wind power and biomethane businesses. The regional government officials allegedly received bribes ranging from €11 to €115.