Procurement storm in Benevento, Mastella: "I never asked for or received bribes for Noi di Centro."

"Never requested nor received." Clemente Mastella distances himself from the alleged donation for Noi di Centro's election expenses, which has become the focus of the Benevento prosecutor's investigation into corruption and public procurement.

The mayor of Benevento and leader of Noi di Centro (We of the Center) is speaking out following new developments in the investigation, which led the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command's Investigative Unit to conduct searches of 17 people. Those under investigation include municipal managers and officials, businessmen, technicians, and local administrators. The charges include, to varying degrees, corruption, undue influence, receiving stolen goods, and illegal political party financing.

"If anyone actually pocketed these sums, it was in a purely personal capacity, clearly illegal," Mastella claims, denying that the party requested or received any money in the matter.

The investigation began with the arrest in flagrante delicto last March of former Benevento City Council official Gennaro Santamaria, who was found in possession of large sums of cash. According to investigators, subsequent interrogations of the former official have provided evidence that the Prosecutor's Office is seeking corroboration.

The investigations concern various sectors of public administration: from urban planning to procedures for inspectors and design, from contract awards to competitive hiring procedures, and even co-design activities for personal services. Also under scrutiny are procedures related to interventions against hydrogeological instability in several municipalities in the Sannio area and at the Taburno Park Authority.

Among the incidents being investigated is the alleged election expenses of Noi di Centro in August 2024. On this point, Mastella reiterates his lack of involvement and hopes that those involved in the investigation can demonstrate their complete innocence in the disputed facts.

"I have learned that among those under investigation are an administrator and several municipal employees. I hope—first and foremost, to protect the prestige and integrity of the institution I represent—that they can demonstrate, starting from the preliminary investigation stage, that they have no involvement in the facts contested by the judiciary," the mayor stated.

Mastella concluded by expressing "full confidence in the investigating authorities' work" and calling for the investigation to continue to uncover the truth.