Prosecutors said Monday they are
investigating an additional three suspects in the bankruptcy of
Banca Popolare di Vicenza lender.
They were named as ex-board member Roberto Zuccato, who is
currently the president of the Veneto branch of Confindustria
industrialists association, Franco Miranda, and bank official
Massimo Pellegrini, who was in charge of writing the budget.
Former bank president Gianni Zonin and five other managers
are also being probed in the case.
Zuccato said he has no idea why he is being investigated.
"I am certain I will be able to prove my innocence," he
said in a statement.
"I am at the disposal of prosecutors".
Finance police searched bank headquarters in June.
The bank is accused of pressuring clients to purchase
Popolare di Vicenza shares and convertible bonds by making it a
condition for issuing loans, mortgages, and other lines of
credit.
The June search followed on allegations that 975 million
euros worth of shares in the bank were bought during the
2012-2014 period via Popolare di Vicenza loans, in breach of
banking regulations.
Banca Popolare di Vicenza is currently being rescued by
Italy's new Atlante private-sector fund for weaker banks after a
recent capital increase failed.
An ill small saver committed suicide earlier this summer
after losing hundreds of thousands of euros in shares in the
bank.
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