Aggravated electoral corruption: Genova court sends twelve people to trial
Judge Morando has ordered trial proceedings against the former close collaborator of Toti and eleven other individuals, in the context of an investigation into alleged packages of votes obtained from the Riesina community.
Aggravated electoral corruption: Genova court sends twelve people to trial
The Genova magistracy has decided to hold criminal proceedings against a dozen people involved in an alleged scheme of buying and selling electoral support. Leading the group of defendants is Matteo Cozzani, former mayor of Portovenere and close collaborator of the former head of the Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti.
The order was issued by Judge Morando. Cozzani is accused of having secured employment in exchange for votes collected from residents of Riesina origin, living in the Certosa district. The support would have been directed towards candidates on the civic list of the then governor. The charge combines electoral corruption with the aggravating factor of facilitating a criminal association of mafia type.
Three other defendants find themselves in the same aggravated situation: twins Arturo and Italo Testa, considered representatives of the Sicilian community, and Venanzio Maurici, previously active in the Cgil trade union and identified as a point of reference in the city for the Cammarata clan. For two others, regional councillor Anzalone and former candidate Cianci, the charge remains electoral corruption without the aggravating factor.
The proceeding is part of the broader investigative line that in spring 2024 led to the arrest and subsequent resignation of Toti, who later reached a judicial settlement. The investigation is directed by deputy prosecutor Manotti and public prosecutor Monteverde.
The substantive hearing is scheduled for 16 September before the collegiate section. For half of the defendants, the decision on admission to the probation programme has been postponed to next November. Separate treatment has been given to the case of Paolo Piacenza, former director of the ports of Genova and Savona and currently head of the southern Tyrrhenian port authority: the magistrate has referred the papers to his colleagues at the Public Prosecutor's Office for direct summons, given that the man is accused of failing to report unlawful occupation of port areas.
Source: ANSA
Source: ANSA Cronaca