The former deputy mayor of Caserta Emiliano Casale and the former municipal councilor for public works Massimiliano Marzo have been officially informed of the closure of the investigations against them. The notice, signed by the public prosecutors of Santa Maria Capua Vetere Armando Bosso and Giacomo Urbano, marks a crucial step in the investigation into an alleged round of public contracts awarded in exchange for votes and bribes.
The document was also notified to nine other defendants, including the managers of the Municipality of Caserta Franco Biondi and Giovanni Natale, the municipal employee Giuseppe Porfidia, the collaborator of the councilor Marzo Magdi Khachermi, the surveyor Gaetano Di Tora and the entrepreneurs Gioacchino Rivetti, Gennaro Rondinone, Raffaele Nunziante and Pasquale Marotta.
The charges brought against the suspects include corruption electoral, corruption and forgery. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Casale and Marzo allegedly promised contracts to entrepreneurs in exchange for votes during the 2021 municipal elections. The contracts concerned maintenance work on public green spaces and schools and were allegedly awarded thanks to the intervention of Biondi and Natale, who allegedly signed illegitimate resolutions, and Porfidia, who allegedly obtained various personal benefits in exchange for her collaboration.
Marzo, moreover, allegedly received from the entrepreneurs the purchase of building materials for his company, Edil Marzo, of which he holds 50% of the shares. The investigation has unleashed a political earthquake in Caserta, culminating with the decision of the mayor Carlo Marino to eliminate the municipal council. This decision was taken following the resignations of three councilors, which occurred immediately after news of the investigation broke.
On June 13th, Marzo, Biondi, Natale, Porfidia and Rivetti were placed under house arrest, but subsequently the Court of Review of Naples decided to release them. With the notice of closure of the investigation, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is preparing to request the referral to trial of all the suspects. The next few weeks will be decisive in determining the outcome of this complex judicial affair that has already left a deep mark on the politics and administration of the city of Caserta.
Article published on 3 August 2024 - 11:21
