The investigation by the Trent Public Prosecutor’s Office against Signa founder René Benko and against several Trentino and South Tyrolean entrepreneurs and local politicians has caused an earthquake in Italy. The Democratic Party is considering suspending suspected local politicians.
The mayor of the famous holiday resort of Riva del Garda, Cristina Santi, is suspected of promoting several non-transparent construction projects. She will be questioned by investigators on Friday, her lawyer Nicola Zilio said. Santi has objected to the house arrest imposed on a total of eight people and has refused to resign.
Party supports the mayor
Santi, who belongs to the right-wing ruling party Lega, received support from her party. “I know Cristina Santi personally, she is an honest, decent person and a good mayor. I am convinced that she will prove that she has nothing to do with what she is accused of,” said Lega leader in Trentino, Diego Binelli. The presumption of innocence also applies in this case.
Investigation against dozens of people
Local politicians from the ranks of the social democratic party PD (Partito Democratico) are also involved in the scandal in Trentino. The police are now considering suspending the suspects. The investigation against a total of 77 people is still ongoing.
“Mafia-like criminal organization”
The Trent Public Prosecution Service suspects Benko of being “the leader of a mafia-like criminal organization” that was founded with the aim of obtaining concessions and permits in order to make unjustified profits, according to the investigation files.
At the head of the criminal organization, Benko acted with the help of Bolzano tax advisor Heinz Peter Hager and entrepreneur Paolo Signoretti from the city of Rovereto, the Trentino Public Prosecutor’s Office said. Hager is also CEO of the Laura Private Foundation, named after Benko’s daughter.
Source: Krone
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