Metro in Rome, Milan included in probe

(ANSA) - Rome, March 16 - Investigators alleged Monday that a businessman at the centre of a massive public-works graft probe boasted of having "a mountain of works" worth 25 billion euros over 15 years including Rome and Milan metro expansions.
    In July 2014, businessman Stefano Perotti - one of two top suspects in the probe - referred to the long list of major contracts in which he was involved, investigators said.
    At the end of January, Perotti was "engaged in directing work" on at least 10 major projects, investigators added.
    Those allegedly included the new Metro C line in Rome, two sections of the Milan subway system and high-speed rail projects in Reggio Calabria, officials said.
    The broad investigation, which led to four arrests earlier in the day and includes some 50 people, allegedly includes an ex-infrastructure ministry manager and engineering consultant Ercole Incalza.
    He was defended by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi who said Incalza "was and is one of the top technical figures (Italy) has as regards national and international engineering experience, recognised at all levels".
    Lupi's son Luca was named in the probe as allegedly having got a job from Perotti.
    Luca Lupi is reportedly not under investigation.
    Carabinieri investigators said Monday that politicians were also among those under investigation although sources said these were not well-known public figures.
    The "articulated corruption network" uncovered by the probe had targeted lucrative contracts for the controversial TAV high-speed rail link between Lyon and Turin, as well as other projects - including Milan Expo 2015, judicial sources said. Investigators believe bribes were paid to officials to influence the awarding of public contracts and other potential charges relate to obstructing proper public administration.