A joint operation by the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (Dia), the Guardia di Finanza and the Carabinieri led to the execution of over 70 searches and numerous precautionary measures in the provinces of Bologna and Modena.
The investigation, called “On Air” and coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office – Bologna District Anti-Mafia Directorate, dismantled an alleged money laundering and false invoice issuing ring, with seizures of assets worth millions of euros.
The charges brought against the suspects include criminal association, money laundering, fictitious registration and issuing invoices for non-existent transactions. The investigation, launched in 2019 following a report from the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate (Dnaa), also involved the provinces of Rome, Naples and Caserta.
Precautionary measures and seizures
The Preliminary Investigations Judge (GIP) of Bologna, Claudio Paris, has issued 10 precautionary measures: 4 house arrests, 5 residence restrictions and suspension from holding public office for a postal employee from the “bassa” Bologna area, considered an integral part of the criminal organization.
Preventive seizures of assets worth over 2 million euros were also ordered, involving 5 companies with offices in Bologna, Modena and Ferrara, and 25 individuals.
The investigations, conducted through wiretaps and environmental interceptions, bank checks and shadowing, revealed the issuing of false invoices for over 10 million euros in the two-year period 2019-2020.
The money, the result of tax fraud, was “laundered” through cash withdrawals by individuals called “horses”, who returned the sums to the companies that had received the false invoices, retaining a 10% percentage.
The role of the postal employee and the companies involved
The suspended postal employee is accused of having made a factual contribution to the criminal organization, exploiting his position. The 5 seized companies, which issued the false invoices, were traceable to a 59-year-old entrepreneur, considered the head of the organization and recipient of one of the precautionary measures.
“Client” companies and searches
The more than 20 “client” companies, which allegedly used the false invoices to reduce costs, are not currently under investigation. However, approximately 70 searches have been carried out for any subsequent disputes of fraudulent declaration.
The operation was called “On Air” because, in the coded jargon used by the organization and intercepted by investigators, this expression indicated the moment in which it was possible to issue a false invoice.
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Comments (1)
Operation 'On Air' was a major success for the authorities, but I wonder whether the companies involved can really escape liability. The fight against money laundering is essential, but more control is needed.