Carabinieri police on Monday
arrested 13 local council employees in the Puglia city of Foggia
as part of an absenteeism dating back to early 2015.
A further seven public employees were suspended from duty
and another six are under investigation.
The suspects face charges of fraud against the state.
Carabinieri have filmed them taking turns swiping the
magnetic attendance badges of absentee colleagues, up to as many
as 10 badges at a time.
Among those arrested is former city economic activities
manager Antonio Stanchi, 65. Police say he clocked his wife -
also a city employee - in and out although she failed to show up
for work.
Stanchi currently manages the city's computer, telephone
and technological innovation department.
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