Police Deputy arrested over fake ZTL permits

ROME– A former municipal police corporal has been charged with fraudulently selling traffic permits for the centre of the Eternal City to 61 ‘VIPs’ including the Fendi fashion heirs,  judicial sources said Tuesday.

 The VIP list counted famous fashion designers, notable restoration entrepreneurs and night club managers. Investigators monitored Claudio Coppola for a period of 13 days and seized 29 illegally issued ZTL permits allowing holders to drive freely through the centre and park in blue zone areas without paying a fee.

 The former Police marshal would dress in uniform during working hours, and sell permits to whoever could afford them. The prosecution is accusing both Coppola and his clients of fraud.

 Among his clients, police sources have confirmed Luca and Guido Formilli Fendi, both heirs to the fashion house Fendi; Luigi Macchioni, the manager of the Valentino boutique in Via Condotti; Massimo Gemini, owner of Hotel Nazionale in Piazza Montecitorio; Massimiliano Teichner, head of a cafè in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina; and Massimo Fulvimario, manager of the famous trattoria 'Totò alle Carrozze' near Piazza di Spagna.

 Draconian fines are levied on anyone entering the central area in cars without permits, which in theory are only issued to residents and limited professions such as doctors or journalists who need to drive there for professional reasons. Abuse of the system has been endemic since the electronic gate system was established decades ago.

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