Arrests made for extortion in Palermo’s new maritime station construction.

Last Updated: October 31, 2023

Two officials from the contracting company, Socotramo srl, have been arrested in Palermo for extortion in the renovation works of the maritime station at the port. The arrests were made by the Provincial Command of the Financial Police, who seized 80,000 euros. The investigation was initiated by a complaint from the Port Authority of Western Sicily, regarding delays in the execution of the public contract. It was discovered that the company officials demanded extra payments from subcontractors, threatening to halt their activities if they refused. The investigation also revealed that the officials forced subcontractors to use lower quality materials and overcharge for their services.