Yet another investigation into corruption in public procurement. Since dawn on Friday morning, 250 soldiers of the Guardia di Finanza have carried out 19 precautionary custody orders in prison and under house arrest issued by the investigating judge of the Court of Rome.
Most of those arrested are managers and officials of Anas, but a lawyer and some entrepreneurs who have been awarded contracts for public works of primary importance are also involved.
50 searches were carried out and "financial assets" were seized for around 800 thousand euros. The money is believed to be linked to illicit payments among those arrested.
The investigation also involves a deputy in office in the ranks of Forza Italia: it is Marco Martinelli, a 53-year-old Roman, who has been served a notice of guarantee.
The operation, known as "Black Lady 2", is a development of last October's investigation into the bribes paid by entrepreneurs receiving contracts to Anas officials.
Among these Antonella Accroglianò, the manager nicknamed "Black Lady". On the basis of her admissions and the subsequent findings of the Tax Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza in Rome, the new provisions were triggered.
In the first tranche of the investigation, Luigi Meduri, former Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport in the second government led by Romano Prodi, who remained in office until 2008, was arrested.
