The prefect of Catania, Maria Carmela Librizzi (pictured), on delegation from the Minister of the Interior, has ordered an inspection of the Municipality of Tremestieri Etneo to “verify the possible existence of concrete, unambiguous and relevant elements of direct or indirect links with organized crime of a mafia type.”
The Commission was established today and, as provided for in the Consolidated Law on the Organization of Local Authorities, “within three months, renewable once for an additional maximum period of three months, will complete the investigations, submitting its conclusions to the prefect.”
The measure follows the Pandora operation, conducted on April 17 by the Carabinieri, coordinated by the District Prosecutor’s Office of Catania, with the execution of a precautionary measure order against 11 people including political leaders, municipal officials and entrepreneurs accused, in various capacities, of mafia-style political exchange, extortion aggravated by mafia methods, aggravated corruption, instigation to corruption and disruption of auction freedom.
Among those arrested is the mayor of Tremestieri Etneo, Santi Rando. Under house arrest is his political opponent, Mario Ronsisvalle, who later became his ally. In the same investigation, the vice president and regional councilor Luca Sammartino has been suspended from public duties for a year, and has resigned from his position on charges of corruption. On the same day as the operation, the prefect suspended Mayor Rando and councilor Mario Ronsisvalle from their positions.
L’inchiesta Pandora che coinvolge Sammartino, accesso ispettivo al Comune di Tremestieri
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