Authorities have returned to the Cavalletti Caffè on viale Parioli in Rome for a second wave of inspections, expanding a probe that began earlier this week with the discovery of massive utility theft and health code violations. The latest operation, a coordinated effort between the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and technicians from the utility company Acea, shifted its focus from electricity to water consumption and financial records.
The renewed scrutiny comes shortly after the establishment was initially shuttered following allegations of electricity theft estimated at approximately €360,000. During that first intervention, investigators also cited the presence of expired food products and substandard hygienic conditions, as well as labor law violations linked to contractors hired for renovations.
The current Cavalletti Caffè viale Parioli investigation has now evolved into a multi-agency effort to determine if the patterns of irregularity found in the power grid extended to other essential services and the business’s internal accounting.
New Findings: Water Theft and Fiscal Audits
During the most recent blitz, officers from the Parioli company of the Carabinieri identified further irregularities concerning the water meter. These findings led to the owner of the business being reported to judicial authorities for theft of water services, a charge that now sits alongside the previous allegations of electricity theft.
Simultaneously, the Guardia di Finanza—Italy’s financial police—concentrated their efforts on the establishment’s cash registers. This aspect of the raid was designed to clarify corporate structures and ensure that all transactions were being recorded in accordance with fiscal laws. Investigators are reportedly examining the registers to uncover any discrepancies in revenue reporting or corporate mismanagement.
The complexity of the operation suggests that authorities are no longer looking at isolated utility errors but are instead reconstructing the broader management practices of the venue.
A Historic Brand Under Pressure
The venue is part of a larger holding company that acquired the historic Cavalletti brand in 2021. The brand is widely recognized for its signature millefoglie, a dessert famously appreciated by Queen Elizabeth II. The holding company currently manages 13 different activities, having previously expanded its portfolio through an acquisition of the gastronomy specialist Ricci.
The juxtaposition of the brand’s prestige with the current legal challenges has drawn significant attention. While the business briefly reopened following the first set of raids—which involved the NAS (National Anti-Sophistication and Health Unit), the Labor Inspectorate, and Areti operators—the subsequent return of the Guardia di Finanza indicates that the legal hurdles remain substantial.
In response to the allegations, manager Christian Delle Fave has maintained that the company is fully cooperating with the authorities. Delle Fave stated that, as of now, none of the contestations have been confirmed in a court of law and that the company has engaged professional consultants to resolve every aspect of the ongoing verifications.
Labor Disputes and Employee Backlash
Beyond the utility theft and hygiene concerns, the holding company is facing mounting pressure from its workforce. Former employees, particularly those from the chain’s Vigna Clara location, have begun mobilizing to demand payment for overdue salaries.
Some workers have already sought judicial intervention to recover owed wages after resigning for “just cause.” The company has attempted to frame these disputes as a minority issue. According to management, the level of litigation involves only about 5% of the company’s 250 employees, a figure Delle Fave described as “physiological” for an organization of that size.
The following table summarizes the primary allegations currently facing the viale Parioli location:
| Category | Allegation/Finding | Investigating Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | Electricity theft (~€360,000) | Carabinieri / Acea |
| Utilities | Water supply irregularities | Carabinieri / Acea |
| Health & Safety | Expired food; poor hygiene | NAS / Local Health Authorities |
| Fiscal/Corporate | Cash register and corporate anomalies | Guardia di Finanza |
| Labor | Unpaid wages and contract violations | Labor Inspectorate / Courts |
Next Steps in the Investigation
Investigators have indicated that they do not rule out further interventions. The goal is to fully reconstruct the management history of the viale Parioli shop and determine if the alleged thefts and labor disputes are systemic across the holding company’s other 12 locations.
The legal process is now moving toward the judicial phase, where the evidence gathered from the water and electricity meters, as well as the cash register audits, will be presented to determine formal indictments. The next critical checkpoint will be the review of the fiscal documents by the Guardia di Finanza to determine if corporate fraud or tax evasion charges will be added to the existing theft reports.
Disclaimer: This report is based on ongoing investigations; all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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