Maxi investigation in Lampedusa: subcontracts to friends and relatives, 20 on trial. Former mayor Martello is also involved

The contract for the maintenance of the sewer network in Lampedusa has allegedly been manipulated. The preliminary hearings judge of the Agrigento Court, Iacopo Mazzullo, has ordered the indictment of 20 people (initially there were 21 but one has since passed away) involved in the investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office, led by prosecutor Giovanni Di Leo. The charges, in various forms, include criminal association, extortion, and embezzlement. The first hearing of the trial has been set for May 13 before the judges of the second criminal section of the Court on via Mazzini.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, the former mayor, two municipal officials, and entrepreneurs allegedly forced the winning company of the contract to accept subcontracting work to firms linked to friends and relatives, through threats and pressure. Among the twenty defendants are the former mayor of the Pelagie, Salvatore Martello, former deputy mayor Salvatore Prestipino, and Agrigento entrepreneur Massimo Campione.

The investigations were conducted by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Agrigento. At the center of the large-scale investigation, which dates back to the period between 2019 and 2021, is — but not limited to — the contract for the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance work of the sewer network in Lampedusa. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the former local administrators of Lampedusa “through coercive conduct, multiple illegal contracts, and appropriation of public funds” allegedly forced the winning company to accept the working methods indicated by subcontracting the work to firms of friends and relatives. Among the companies benefiting from the subcontracted work, concerning the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of the pumping stations, are those managed by five relatives and family members of the former mayor.