The Court of Appeal of Naples has postponed the hearing on the Eurohocolate trial until October 4th.
After the appeal presented by the Avellino Public Prosecutor's Office against the order of the investigating judge who had excluded the hypothesis of disturbed freedom of auctions against the former mayor Gianluca Feast in relation to the organization of the chocolate exhibition held in Avellino last February.
At the same hearing, the Review Court judges will also evaluate the request of the Avellino Public Prosecutor's Office to charge former municipal manager Filomena Smiraglia with the crime of revealing official secrets regarding the competitions for municipal police officers announced by the Municipality of Avellino.
The date of the hearing before the Sixth Criminal Section of the Court of Cassation, where the appeal presented by the defense of the former mayor against the precautionary custody order that placed him under house arrest since April 18, has yet to be set.
The accusations against Festa
Former mayor Gianluca Festa is accused of embezzlement, corruption and bid-rigging in the “Dolce Vita” investigation into the organization of Eurochocolate 2024. According to the prosecution, Festa allegedly favored several companies in exchange for bribes and committed irregularities in awarding contracts for the event.
The position of Festa
Former mayor Festa has always denied the charges against him, calling them “unfounded and without evidence”. His defense has appealed to the Review Court and the Court of Cassation against the precautionary custody order, asking for the revocation of the restrictive measure.
The postponement of the trial
The postponement of the trial to October 4 represents a new chapter in the legal case involving former mayor Festa and the organization of Eurochocolate 2024. The next hearing will be crucial to define the fate of the investigation and to establish whether or not the charges against the defendants exist.
Article published on 21 June 2024 - 19:24
