An investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office Santa Maria Capua Vetere revealed an alleged corruption system in contracts for the maintenance of public green spaces in Caserta and San Nicola la Strada.
Twenty-five people, including local officials and politicians, are under investigation for fixing tenders in exchange for bribes. The Green Councilor of San Nicola la Strada, Gaetano Mastroianni, is among those targeted by an arrest warrant and has already resigned.
The investigations, conducted by the Carabinieri, brought to light a bribe ring that allegedly involved multiple levels of the municipal administration.
The Prosecutor's Office has requested the arrest of all the suspects, but the investigating judge Alessia Stadio has summoned 14 of them for tomorrow and Friday, so that they can be interrogated in advance as prescribed by the new Nordio law; among the 14, who therefore risk possible arrest after the interrogation, is the councilor for Greenery and Urban Decor of the Municipality of San Nicola la Strada Gaetano Mastroianni, for whom the Prosecutor's Office has requested prison, and who today resigned from the council led by Mayor Vito Marotta.
"It is with regret - explains Mastroianni in a note - that I have resigned from the position of City Councilor. The recent legal case in which I am involved has prompted me to reflect deeply: I have great faith in the work that the judiciary is doing and, therefore, I intend to dispel any doubts by facing the continuation free from the burdens and responsibilities connected to the institutional role that I have always covered with extreme commitment and dedication in the interest of the citizens of San Nicolò. I thank the mayor and all my colleagues for the trust and collaboration shown in me in these years and I hope that clarity can be achieved soon".
In addition to Mastroianni, three employees of the Municipality of San Nicola (Brigida Napoleone, Francesco Zoleo and Giovanni Mastroianni) are involved in the investigation, as well as the former manager of the technical office Giulio Biondi, who has been retired for about a year, the municipal councilor and former deputy mayor Antonio Megaro, while for the Municipality of Caserta the municipal manager Franco Biondi, Giulio's brother, and the employees Michele Amato and Francesco Cerreto are under investigation.
