“`html
GIUGLIANO-MARANO, April 11, 2024 – A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 22nd in the case involving 40 individuals accused of bid rigging and corruption related to waste management contracts in the municipalities of Giugliano and Marano, near Naples.The case, which began in 2018, centers around allegations of a “system” designed to unfairly award integrated waste collection service contracts.
Waste Contract Probe: Dozens Face Court in Naples Region
A sprawling examination into alleged corruption in local waste disposal has led to charges against a former mayor, council members, and business leaders.
- The Accusations: Forty individuals are facing preliminary hearings related to alleged bid rigging and corrupt practices in the awarding of waste collection contracts.
- Contract Value: The contracts in question are worth approximately 120 million euros over a seven-year period.
- Investigation Origins: The probe was initiated by the Guardia di Finanza, starting in Marano di Napoli and expanding to giugliano in Campania.
- Key Witness: Alessio Antonello Balestrieri,former administrator of Tekra,provided crucial testimony alleging threats related to contract delegations.
- Charges Dropped: Charges against former mayor nicola Pirozzi were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
- Presumption of Innocence: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- Facing scrutiny,though one has had charges dropped.
- The alleged crimes involve manipulating bids and engaging in corrupt practices to secure lucrative waste collection contracts worth approximately 120 million euros over seven years.
The Guardia di Finanza initiated the probe, initially focusing on Marano di Napoli before expanding to include Giugliano in Campania. Investigators reportedly raised concerns after the awarding of a seven-year, 120 million euro tender for integrated waste collection services. The core allegation is that a network of local officials and entrepreneurs colluded to manipulate the bidding process and secure contracts through illicit means.
A pivotal moment in the investigation came with the complaints filed by Alessio Antonello Balestrieri, the former administrator and legal representative of Tekra, the company responsible for waste management in Marano di Napoli.Balestrieri claimed he was threatened with financial repercussions if he didn’t cede certain delegations to a company favored by one of the current suspects. He refused, and his testimony reportedly unlocked the wider investigation.
What exactly were the allegations against former officials? The investigation alleges that employees and administrators within the municipalities,working alongside entrepreneurs and intermediaries,established a system to influence contract awards through corrupt practices and stifle fair competition in auctions.
Among those called to appear before the preliminary hearing judge, Fabrizio Forte, are Domenico Abbatiello, Vincenzo Alfano, Nicola Benedetto, Giuseppe Borzachelli, Leopoldo Cecere, Paolo Castrese D’Alterio, Giuseppe D’Avino, Adriano De Falco, Mario De Quattro, Michele Del Prete, Antonio Di Girolamo, Salvatore Di Girolamo, Giuseppe Dirasco, Antonio Di Nardo, Angelo Egisto, Ciro Gentile, Luigi Grimaldi (former councilor of the Municipality of Giugliano), Andrea Guadagno, Vittorio Iorio, Giuseppe Magno, Massimo Meglio, Vincenzo Natale, Michele oliviero, Antonio Poziello (former mayor), Donato Poziello, arcangelo Puzone, Mauro scarlato, raffaele Schettino, Stefania scognamiglio, Antonio Simeone, Giuseppe Spacone (former manager of Teknoservice), Antonio Tamburelli, Procolo Trincone, Nunzio Troilo, Nicola Ucciero, Rofoldo Visconti (former mayor of Marano), Luigi Vitiello, as well as the companies Teknoservice, Be.Ma srl, and Ikem.
The Municipality of Marano and the Municipality of Giugliano, along with the leaders of Tekra, a leading waste collection and disposal company based in Angri, and Alessio Antonello Balestrieri and Antonio balestrieri, owners of the company handling urban hygiene services in Marano, have been established as civil parties in the case.
Notably, the charges against former mayor Nicola Pirozzi, who took office in 2020, were dropped after he clarified his position before the investigating judge and the Court of Review, asserting the lack of evidence supporting the accusations against him. His legal depiction was provided by
