Bribes in Christmas packages and workers enslaved on the Naples-Bari high-speed rail construction sites: 20 precautionary measures

Naples – A well-established system of bribery, corruption, and labor exploitation centered around the country's major strategic infrastructure projects. This is what emerged from the dawn raid carried out by the Economic and Financial Police Unit of the Naples Guardia di Finanza, which executed a precautionary order issued by the Naples Court's investigating judge at the direction of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

The measure affects a total of 20 people, seriously suspected of various charges of illicit intermediation and labor exploitation, issuing invoices for non-existent transactions, corruption in the performance of their duties and acts contrary to official duties, as well as aiding and abetting.

Following preliminary interrogations, 10 of the suspects were placed under house arrest, while the others were subjected to interdictory measures, including an obligation to remain in their homes and to report to the judicial police (in three cases, this was accompanied by a one-year suspension from public services, a sanction applied exclusively to three other individuals).

The axis of crime: the Naples-Bari high-speed rail lines

The Guardia di Finanza's investigations have focused on the infrastructure works related to the construction of the Naples-Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway line, focusing in particular on the sections completed or under construction located in the provinces of Naples, Avellino, and Benevento.

Investigators scrutinized the entire procurement chain: from the initial awarding of the work to its actual execution, including accounting, technical inspections, payments to contractors, and the management of excavation materials, construction site waste, and concrete supplies.

The "trade" of contracts: bribes, watches, and Christmas gifts

According to the preliminary investigations judge's case, a veritable network of corrupt relations operated within the construction sites. On one side were the contractors, on the other, public officials and public service representatives who, abusing their technical and administrative responsibilities, allegedly manipulated the awarding of contracts, facilitated the execution of works, and obstructed inspections.

In exchange for the favors granted, the alleged corruption network demanded lavish payments. In addition to the usual cash sums—often cleverly hidden even inside Christmas packages and boxes—investigators documented the delivery of luxury watches, state-of-the-art cell phones, tourist accommodations, vacations, and other personal items. To fuel the cash supply for bribes, a network of invoices for non-existent transactions was also allegedly created.

Gangmastering and 20-hour shifts: the plight of workers

Alongside the corruption in procurement, the investigations have shed a chilling light on working conditions on construction sites. Finance police have documented the systematic exploitation of non-EU workers, particularly those of Egyptian origin.

The workers were allegedly forced to work grueling and degrading shifts of up to 20 hours a day, without respecting the legally required rest periods. Added to this were wages significantly below the contractual minimum, complete disregard for workplace safety and hygiene regulations, oppressive surveillance, and precarious housing, often accompanied by irregularities regarding residence permits and mandatory training.

In addition to the personal measures, the investigating judge ordered the precautionary seizure—with the aim of confiscating, even in equivalent form—of the illicit profits accumulated through the alleged corruption crimes.
Since this measure was executed during the preliminary investigation phase, the judiciary recalls that the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence applies to all recipients until a final sentence is reached, and that they will now have the right to appeal the case through the legal remedies provided for by law.