Multiple corruption arrests in Campania

Investigations are being carried out by the Guardia di Finanza

 ROME--The Neapolitan Financial Guard issued 69 arrest warrants resulting from an investigation into the Zagaria clan, a faction of the Casalesi. Politicians and businessmen were among those accused. Notable arrests were the regional councillor of Campania, and ex-council member of the Campania Tourism Association, Pasquale Sommese; and the mayor of Aversa, Enrico De Cristofaro.

 Among the various crimes, corruption, bid rigging and mafia collaboration have been indicated. 

 The investigation was conducted by a team of five public ministers from the Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia and headed by the public prosecutor, Francesco Borrelli. Under investigation by the policemen of the Financial Guard are local administrators, public officers, university professors, businessmen, and engineers; who have been accused of accepting bribes and allowing serious irregularities in the public contracts drawn up in Campania, at times with the end of facilitating criminal organisations like the Camorra.

 The investigators are paying particular attention to 18 contracts, drawn up between 2013 and the start of 2016, from various towns in the province of Casertano, such as Alife, Fracolise and Riardo. The contracts concern the restoration of important historic properties, involving various professionals and public officials.

 The investigation revolves around the central figure of the engineer, Guglielmo La Regina, also known as “The Queen”, and forms part of the inquiry that imprisoned the ex-mayor of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Biagio Muro, for suspected corruption relating to the restoration of the Teti Maffucini Palace.

 Both La Regina and the businessman Alessandro Zagaria have now been arrested.