The head of Italian utility Iren and the president of Liguria, a northwestern region, were arrested on corruption charges, prosecutors in Genoa announced on Tuesday.
Paolo Emilio Signorini, who became Iren’s CEO last year, was arrested due to activities from his previous position as head of the Ports of Genoa Authority and is currently in custody.
In the same investigation, Giovanni Toti, the president of Liguria, has been placed under house arrest. Toti, a member of the Noi Moderati party allied with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition, is accused of accepting €74,100 from local businessman Aldo Spinelli and his son Roberto Spinelli in exchange for business favors, including expedited port terminal concessions and building permits.
Signorini allegedly accepted €15,000 in cash and additional perks such as luxury hotel stays in Monte Carlo from Aldo Spinelli, a former president of Serie A football club Genoa.
Matteo Cozzani, Toti’s chief of staff, is also implicated, accused of arranging votes-for-jobs deals with suspected members of a Sicilian Mafia clan based in Genoa.
Toti’s office has not yet provided a substantive comment but plans to issue a statement later. Iren’s shares on the Milan stock exchange fell by 2.4% as of 0830 GMT. Attempts to reach Iren or representatives for Signorini for comments were unsuccessful.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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