Finance police in the northern city
of Monza on Monday arrested 21 people, including a former
magistrate and two lawyers, on charges including corruption,
money laundering and criminal association for tax and bankruptcy
fraud.
The arrests were carried out in Milan, Monza, Brianza, Lecco,
Bologna, Asti and Reggio Calabria as part of a nationwide
operation.
The investigation kicked off after local administrators in
Monza first reported alleged irregularities in public contracts.
Companies led by Calabria construction entrepreneur Giuseppe
Malaspina, who lives in Brianza, are accused of issuing false
invoices while public officials involved in the investigation
are charged with accepting bribes.
The former magistrate involved in the investigation is
Gerardo Perrillo, who used to work at Monza's bankruptcy court.
Assets and real estate properties seized by police as part of
the investigation included the Hotel Ca' Sagredo in Venice,
which up until a few weeks ago hosted the installation "Support"
by artist Lorenzo Quinn, as part of the Art Biennal, and the
building of the Gritti Hotel in Milan near the Theater La Scala.
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