Massimiliano Marzo, Councilor for Public Works for the Municipality of Caserta, was placed under house arrest along with two managers, an employee, and a businessman as part of an investigation by the Santa Maria Capua Vetere Public Prosecutor's Office into corruption and forgery of public documents.
The investigation, which began during the last local elections, uncovered an alleged illegal system for awarding public contracts in Caserta. According to investigators, Marzo and the managers allegedly entered into a corrupt pact to favor certain companies, including by "unbundling" contracts so as to bring them under the threshold for direct awarding.
In exchange for favors, free construction work, and, in one case, even the payment of car insurance, the officials allegedly prepared illegitimate and false documents to manipulate the awarding of contracts to compliant companies.
The investigations also found that, in some cases, the building materials for the public Works they were purchased by the company of which Marzo was co-owner.
The projects involved in the investigation include those on school buildings, public green spaces, and the municipal dog kennel. In some cases, work reportedly even began before the approval resolution.
The operation, which involved 14 people, including other administrators, municipal employees, and businessmen, represents a severe blow to the corruption that grips the Caserta area.
The charges:
- Corruption: the councilor and the managers allegedly received benefits to favor certain companies in the awarding of contracts.
Falsification of public documents: Illegitimate and false documents were allegedly drawn up to manipulate the awarding of contracts.
Fraud: the municipality was allegedly defrauded by purchasing building materials at inflated prices.
The crimes charged:
- Article 328 of the Criminal Code: corruption for an act contrary to official duties.
Article 476 of the Criminal Code: falsehood in public documents.
Article 640 of the Criminal Code: fraud.
Precautionary measures:
House arrest: Councilor Marzo, the two managers, the employee, and the entrepreneur.
Banned from public office: for other suspects.
The investigations continue to ascertain any other responsible parties and to shed light on all the contested facts.
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