Avellino. Two of the entrepreneurs implicated in the “Dolce Vita” corruption investigation have denied charges of giving bribes to former Avellino mayor Gianluca Festa and architect Fabio Guerriero.
The two, questioned by the investigating judge Giulio Argenio, denied having ever received requests for money from Guerriero to then pass them on to Party.
Their statements contradict the wiretaps which, at the moment, are the only evidence to support the accusation.
The entrepreneurs, together with a third defendant who availed himself of the right to remain silent, had been awarded contracts for building redevelopment works in Bellizzi and for the Porta Est in Avellino.
Meanwhile, the Review Court has set the hearing for Guerriero for July 23, who, like Festa, had waived his right to testify during the preliminary hearing.
“Smoky Interceptions”, the Defense of Entrepreneurs
During the interrogation, the defense of the entrepreneurs filed defense briefs in which they underlined the "smokiness" of the wiretaps.
According to the lawyers, the telephone conversations would not be sufficient to demonstrate the existence of the crime of corruption.
The “Dolce Vita” Investigation
The “Dolce Vita” investigation was launched by the Avellino Prosecutor's Office which hypothesizes a round of bribes for public contracts in Avellino.
In addition to Festa and Guerriero, other entrepreneurs and professionals are being investigated as part of the investigation. The crimes being charged are, to varying degrees, corruption, bid-rigging, criminal association and forgery.
The next moves
The hearing for Guerriero will be held at the Review Court on July 23, while a hearing for Festa has already been set for July 26. New developments are expected in the coming weeks, with the acquisition of further evidence and the decisions of the judges.
Article published on 16 July 2024 - 19:43
