Caserta. An investigation by the Santa Maria Capua Vetere Public Prosecutor's Office has led to the arrest of five people for corruption and forgery of public documents as part of a probe into rigged public procurement procedures at the Caserta Municipality.
Among those arrested are Public Works Councilor Massimiliano Marzo, managers Franco Biondi and Giovanni Natale, municipal employee Giuseppe Porfidia, and entrepreneur Gioacchino Rivetti.
A widespread system of corruption
The investigations uncovered an alleged corruption scheme involving close collaboration between municipal officials and Councilor Marzo to award public contracts illegally. In some cases, contracts were "unbundled" so they could be awarded directly to compliant companies without having to follow the tender procedures.
Benefits in exchange for contracts
In exchange for favors, construction work in their private homes, and even the payment of an insurance policy, public officials would award contracts to pre-selected firms. In some cases, construction supplies for public works were even purchased by the firm whoseCouncilor March he was a 50% partner.
Public works under the magnifying glass
The contracts under investigation involve interventions on school buildings, green spaces, and the municipal dog kennel, for a total value of approximately €180. According to the charges, the work began even before the relevant documents were drafted by the Municipality, and the award decisions were only issued subsequently. The same process was also used to pay the contractors.
Investigations started with the new administration
The investigation began with the installation of the current municipal administration and has also uncovered a possibility of electoral corruption, involving some of the suspects but not those arrested today. According to investigators, during the last municipal elections, votes were bought in exchange for contracts and preferences, at a price of 50 euros each.
Reactions from the Municipality
Caserta Mayor Carlo Marino stated that he has "full confidence in the work of the judiciary and law enforcement" and emphasized that "the administration's work continues as expected." The responsibilities of the managers involved have been temporarily assigned to other officials and the Secretary General. The mayor has also assumed the responsibilities of the arrested councilor, Massimiliano Marzo, on an interim basis.
An investigation that shakes the city
The investigation by the Santa Maria Capua Vetere Public Prosecutor's Office has had a significant impact on the city of Caserta and sheds a worrying light on the level of corruption within the municipality. Further developments are expected in the coming weeks, with the possibility of new arrests and the opening of new lines of investigation.
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