Court of Cassation hearing in September for reduction of Cosentino's sentence
Former politician can request probation, and family business enters Confindustria
Court of Cassation hearing in September for Cosentino
The Court of Cassation has scheduled the 9 September the hearing in which it will rule definitively on the appeal of the General Prosecutor's Office of Naples against the reduction of the sentence imposed on former undersecretary Nicola Cosentino, according to ANSA Cronaca. Cosentino is currently detained in Spoleto prison, where he is serving two final sentences for a total of 14 years: 10 for external participation in organised crime and 4 for corruption.
The Court of Appeal of Naples ordered a reduction of one year and two months in recent days, accepting the request of defence lawyer Dario Vannetiello. The order would already make the former undersecretary for the Economy of the Berlusconi government eligible for prison benefits such as release on probation to social services, since the remaining sentence falls below four years.
The same lawyer Vannetiello has also filed his own appeal with the Court of Cassation in parallel to obtain a further reduction of the sentence. The order of the Court of Appeal — which recognised continuity between the crime of external participation in a mafia association and that of corruption — is meanwhile immediately enforceable. The question relating to probation will shortly come before the Perugia Supervisory Court.
Cosentino has already served over seven years in total, including time in pre-trial custody, house arrest and detention following the sentences. The judicial matter could therefore be moving towards conclusion within a few months.
Aversana Petroli admitted to Confindustria Caserta
On the family front, the well-known fuel company Aversana Petroli, historically traceable to Giovanni Cosentino — brother of Nicola — was recently admitted as a new member of Confindustria Caserta. The decision, adopted under the presidency of Luigi Della Gatta, was not without internal discussion: not all members were in favour of the family business's entry.
The line of granting confidence in the new generations prevailed, taking into account that the management of the company would now have passed to the children. A non-negligible element in the evaluation was the final acquittal of Giovanni, Nicola and their brother Antonio in the so-called "Fuel" trial, which concerned Aversana Petroli itself.
Source: ANSA Cronaca