Priest Antonio Foderaro has decided to suspend himself from all his duties after learning that he was being investigated by the Reggio Calabria Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) in the "Ducale" investigation for mafia-related electoral fraud due to his relationship with Daniel Barillà, the son-in-law of alleged mafia boss Domenico Araniti, who was first placed under house arrest and then required to sign in. Within the Reggio-Bova diocese, Foderaro is the diocesan representative for information technology and director of the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences.
Furthermore, last September he was appointed "dean of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy" in Naples . In a statement from his lawyers, Aurelio and Steve Chizzoniti, Father Foderaro "firmly rejects the accusations leveled against him in the press." "Deeply disturbed and surprised by this affair," the lawyers' statement reads, "Father Foderaro has decided to suspend himself from all his duties.
He expresses doubts about the way in which the Prosecutor's Office has handled the communication of the investigation, believing that the information released through the press, before a formal notification, represents a deviation from normal judicial procedures. Professor Foderaro underlines the importance of proceeding in compliance with the rules and has therefore decided to take legal action, resorting to the Catanzaro Prosecutor's Office to identify any responsibilities in the dissemination of the information that appeared in the national media. His lawyers also announce the drafting of a detailed report to be presented to the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, to request a timely inspection aimed at identifying the person or persons responsible for what happened".
