40 Individuals, Including Magistrates, Investigated in Tirrenia Graft Case

Genoa: Some 40 individuals have come under scrutiny in a graft and embezzlement investigation tied to the ferry company Tirrenia. Among those being investigated are magistrates, police officers, and officials from various prefectures, as confirmed by judicial sources.

According to Ansa News Agency, this probe forms a new branch of the ongoing investigation by Genoa’s prosecutor’s office into Tirrenia-Compagnia italiana di Navigazione. The investigation has already resulted in the seizure of three ferries. The prosecutor’s office suspects corruption, alleging that officials received ‘gold’ cards from the company, allowing them to travel for free on the company’s ships.

In a separate branch of the investigation, which addresses alleged fraud in public supplies, the authorities have seized 64 million euros from Tirrenia. The first round of questioning for the 13 individuals implicated in this aspect of the probe is set to begin on Wednesday. Public prosecutor Walter Cotugno has proposed house arrest for two individuals and imposed 11 bans.