The mayor of Italy's
poorest municipality was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of
aggravated fraud.
Romano Loielo, the 43-year-old mayor of Nardodipace in the
southern Calabria region and a finance police corporal on leave
of absence for several years, was placed under house arrest in
relation to an alleged fraud amounting to 100,000 euros of
European Union, State and regional funds.
The 38-year-old son of a local 'Ndrangheta mafia boss and
two local businessmen were also placed under house arrest on the
same charges.
In addition 12 people including a local councillor and his
wife and the mayor's wife were issued with orders to present
themselves to the judicial police in connection with the alleged
crime.
The suspects are alleged to have appropriated funds
destined for training courses to create jobs.
A town of 1,200 people in the Serre Vibonesi mountains,
Nardodipace has the lowest per capita income in the country.
Loielo was first elected mayor of the town in 2007 but his
administration was dissolved for suspected mafia infiltration in
2011.
He was subsequently able to run in and won subsequent
elections in 2013.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
