The Sorrento gang arrested: "Lello the psychic" also arrested.

Sorrento – An unprecedented judicial upheaval has hit the Municipality of Sorrento. This morning, the Torre Annunziata Financial Police Unit executed 16 precautionary measures—including one for detention and five for house arrest—issued by the preliminary investigations judge at the request of the Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation uncovered an alleged "system" of corruption, embezzlement, incitement to corruption, and disruption of auction procedures, linked to a number of public contracts awarded by the Municipality of Sorrento between 2022 and 2024.

The names involved and the main charges

Among the recipients of the precautionary measures stands out the former Mayor of Sorrento, Massimo Coppola, already in prison since May 21, 2025 for undue inducement.investigation He is now implicated in a further 9 counts of corruption, 1 of incitement to corruption, 3 of hindering the freedom of auctions and 1 of embezzlement.

Along with Coppola, 2 officials of the municipal administration of Sorrento, 7 entrepreneurs who were awarded public tenders and, surprisingly, also a "psychic" were affected by restrictive measures. Raphael Guide.

Concurrently with the arrests, the Guardia di Finanza executed a search warrant for the homes, personal belongings, and computers, as well as the seizure of 26 people, including the 14 individuals subject to the restrictive measures and 12 other people under investigation for similar crimes.

Million-dollar contracts under investigation by investigators

The complex investigation, conducted by the Massa Lubrense Financial Police Company and coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, scrutinized 36 public contracts announced or awarded by the Municipality of Sorrento between 2022 and 2024.

The total value of these contracts, at the starting bid, exceeds €35 million, of which €15 million is financed by ERDF funds and €4,5 million by PNRR funds, highlighting the seriousness of the alleged illegal activity, which also involved resources earmarked for recovery and development.

Among the specific contracts involved in corruption and bid-rigging cited in the precautionary order is the direct awarding to a professional of the task of "Designing the feasibility study, urban regeneration – redevelopment and enhancement of the illicit route."

This last detail, as reported in the press release, seems to indicate a clear corrupt intent aimed at entering into illicit agreements for the awarding of contracts.

A deep-rooted system: social alarm and kidnappings

The precautionary measure was deemed "essential" to halt the continuation of the criminal conduct and eradicate a "deeply rooted system of corruption within the Sorrento municipal administration."

The high level of social alarm is determined by the ability of the overall system of illicit behavior to insinuate itself into entire sectors of the administration, together with the prolonged period of time in which the crimes were committed.

During the searches, €47.660 in cash and two luxury watches were seized, found in the home of one of the arrested suspects. The investigation, conducted by the Massa Lubrense Financial Police Company and coordinated by the Torre Annunziata Public Prosecutor's Office, continues with the analysis of the seized materials and the interviews of the suspects.

Precautionary measures

They are 16 people arrested, of which:

• 1 in prison

• 5 under house arrest

• The remaining ones are subject to minor obligations and provisions

Suspects and people involved

The main recipients of the precautionary measures include:

• Massimo Coppola, former mayor of Sorrento (already arrested in flagrante on May 21, 2025, currently in prison)

• Two officials of the municipal administration of Sorrento

• Seven entrepreneurs, results of the Municipality's public procurement winners

• Raphael Guide, known as "the psychic"

The kidnappings

During the searches the following were seized:

• 47.660 euros in cash

• 2 luxury watches

The money and valuables were found in the home of one of those arrested.