Sorrento – "I took bribes totaling €215." Former Sorrento mayor Massimo Coppola has confessed to his role in the corruption scheme that transformed municipal contracts into an illegal market. His admissions—made to investigators last September and now declassified—have led investigating judge Maria Concetta Criscuolo to order preliminary hearings for 15 new suspects.
The “psychic” and the staff member: the roles of the system
According to the reconstruction of the Guardia di Finanza and the Torre Annunziata Prosecutor's Office (prosecutor Giuliano Schioppi), Coppola did not act alone. The former mayor allegedly collected the bribes through Raffaele Guida, nicknamed "Lello the psychic," described as the liaison officer with the businessmen. Alongside them, Francesco Di Maio—a former staff member—managed the rigged competitions.
The investigation began on May 20, 2025, when Coppola was arrested red-handed in a restaurant. On that occasion, financial police cameras captured a man counting banknotes in the restaurant's bathroom: according to the prosecution, this was a bribe payment.
13 contracts and 3 competitions under accusation
The new requests for precautionary measures—four in prison and 17 under house arrest, reduced by the investigating judge to 15 interrogations—concern managers, municipal officials, entrepreneurs, communications experts, and professionals. The charges, so far, include nine counts of corruption and eight of bid-rigging, relating to 13 contracts (including the "Campo Italia" project, the Teatro Tasso, and the promotion of the "Sorrento" brand) and three public competitions.
In one case, during a search, 115 euros in cash were found and seized at the home of a suspect in a bid-rigging case.
Elections at risk of cancellation: the municipality is under observation.
This new judicial storm comes as the Interior Ministry is considering dissolving the Municipality of Sorrento due to criminal infiltration. The municipality has been under special administration since last May, following Coppola's resignation. If the proposal were accepted quickly, the local elections scheduled for May 24th would be canceled. The 15 suspects are scheduled for questioning on April 16th and 17th.
The 15 new suspects
Donato Sarno (Sorrento Municipality Manager)
Luigi Desiderio (Sorrento Municipality official)
Filippo Di Martino (Sorrento Municipality official)
Maria Grazia Caiazzo (Sorrento Municipality official)
Vincenzo Sorrentino (accountant, former city councilor)
Alessandro Di Domenico (entrepreneur)
Raffaele Nitti (entrepreneur)
Luigi De Gregorio (entrepreneur)
Raffaele Guarino (communications expert)
Giuseppe Razzano (communications expert)
Antonio Gnassi (journalist, former president of the Campania Order's disciplinary commission)
Marco De Martino (winner of a competition to become a municipal employee)
Giovanni Coppola (alleged “recommender”)
Carlo Perego (professional)
Gennaro Esposito (professional, loyalist of former mayor Coppola)
In short
Sorrento - “I took bribes worth 215 euros.”
- Former Sorrento mayor Massimo Coppola has confessed to his role in the corruption scandal that transformed public procurement in the…
- The admissions—made to investigators last September and declassified—led investigating judge Maria Concetta Criscuolo to…
- The "psychic" and the staff member: the roles of the system According to the reconstruction by the Guardia di Finanza and the Prosecutor's Office of…
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
Sorrento - “I took bribes worth 215 euros.”
Why is this news relevant?
Former Sorrento mayor Massimo Coppola has confessed to his role in the corruption scandal that transformed public procurement in the…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
The admissions—made to investigators last September and declassified—led investigating judge Maria Concetta Criscuolo to order preliminary interrogations for…
The situation is worrying, many names have been cited, investigations are still underway and there is a risk of the elections being annulled. I hope the judiciary will provide clarity soon and that citizens will regain confidence in the Municipality and in the legal process. I cannot judge, but truth and transparency are necessary to protect the city.