They collected ICI and local taxes, but instead of paying them into the public coffers they kept them for themselves. So the Taxes Italy Spa, a collection company based in Chiavari, in the province of Genoa, has allegedly stolen over 100 million euros from about 400 Italian municipalities over the years. The Guardia di Finanza of the Ligurian capital, on the order of the Gip of Chiavari Fabrizio Garofalo, today arrested five people for embezzlement and tax crimes, including Giuseppe Saggese, the de facto director of the company. Four other people were reported on the loose.
According to what was reconstructed by the investigators, the funds were paid into the accounts of companies attributable to Saggese, who appropriated a total of around 20 million euros. To disguise the movements, operations with associated companies were staged, often documented as consultancies or corporate reorganization plans, and corporate operations of an extraordinary nature, such as capital increases and the establishment of new companies.
Tributi Spa, due to the numerous complaints presented by various Municipalities which had revoked its concessions for tax collection, entered into a state of insolvency and was declared bankrupt by the Court of Rome.
Again according to the prosecution's theses, Saggese withdrew up to 10 euros in cash per day from the company's accounts, traveled in luxury cars, even used yachts and private planes and entertained himself with stays in prestigious locations, social parties and concerts . Many of the approximately one thousand employees of Tributi Italia spa have been fired, many others are on layoffs. Some municipalities have come to the brink of financial collapse.
