Sorrento, the shocking video: the mayor's collaborator filmed while counting the bribe in Bagno

Sorrento – A crucial video, filmed by a microcamera placed by the Guardia di Finanza, would show the collaborator of the mayor of Sorrento, Francesco Di Maio, while counting the 6.000 euros he just received from an entrepreneur.

The scene, filmed in the bathroom of a restaurant, is the key element that led to the arrest in flagrante of Di Maio and the mayor Massimo Coppola on the evening of May 20th.

The operation, conducted by the Guardia di Finanza of Torre Annunziata as part of an investigation coordinated by the Torre Annunziata Prosecutor's Office (prosecutor Nunzio Fragliasso, deputy prosecutors Giuliano Schioppi and Matteo De Micheli), concerns alleged illicit practices in the awarding of various municipal contracts. Both Coppola and Di Maio are accused, among other things, of "undue inducement to give or promise benefits".

The delivery of the alleged bribe took place during a specially organized dinner. At the time of the arrest, the financial police found 4.500 euros on the mayor and the remaining 1.500 in the possession of his collaborator.

According to investigators, those six thousand euros would be part of a much larger bribe, agreed upon for the assignment of school canteen services for the period 2023-2026. A contract of great value, awarded to the same entrepreneur, with a starting bid of over 4,5 million euros.

The hearing to validate the double arrest in flagrante delicto, before the investigating judge of Torre Annunziata Emanuela Cozzitorto, could be held as early as tomorrow, with the two suspects called to defend themselves from the serious accusations.