The Palermo investigation, first interrogations in silence. The prosecutors: 'Iacolino could not have been unaware of who the mafia boss was'

First interrogations regarding yet another health scandal that is once again engulfing the Region, with the suspects immediately remaining silent. The regional official Giancarlo Teresi and the entrepreneur believed to be close to Cosa Nostra, Carmelo Vetro, arrested for corruption, invoked their right not to answer during the guarantee interrogation before the investigating judge Filippo Serio. Teresi was defended by lawyers Antonino and Giuseppe Reina, while Vetro was represented by lawyer Samantha Borsellino.

The lawyers of another major figure in the investigation, the now former general director of the Policlinico of Messina, Salvatore Iacolino, who is under investigation for external complicity in mafia association within the inquiry, announced that they will file an appeal to the Court of Review against the seizure of electronic devices and the 90,000 euros found in the manager's home, who had been appointed last week to lead the Messina university hospital company.

Iacolino will be heard by the Palermo prosecutors tomorrow, and his defenders, lawyers Giuseppe Di Peri and Arnaldo Faro, are also considering whether to advise him not to make statements. According to the accusations, the regional official allegedly facilitated the activities of his fellow townsman Vetro (both from Favara) in exchange for funding for the electoral campaign and hiring. In a statement, lawyers Di Peri and Faro had already pointed out the total innocence of the accusations against the super manager of Sicilian healthcare, who has declared himself innocent.

The regional deputy of Forza Italia, Bernardette Grasso, has also intervened in the matter regarding the investigation, where her name has also come up. "No charges have been raised against me for criminally relevant facts. I have never been aware, nor could I have been, of the past or current judicial troubles of Mr. Vetro, a person whose physical appearance is unknown to me." The parliamentarian continues: "Therefore, in order to avoid media attacks and gratuitous speculation by the professionals of the culture of suspicion, I am considering self-suspension from the position of vice president of the regional anti-mafia commission to better cooperate, if necessary, with the judicial authority in the complete ascertainment of the historical reality."

Meanwhile, further elements have emerged from the investigation documents. In a passage from the order of the investigating judge of Palermo, it is stated that "the relationship between Vetro and Iacolino is characterized by a total availability of the latter to comply with the requests of the former, aimed at obtaining assistance for the economic needs and business prospects of a company effectively attributable to Vetro", a circumstance deemed "perfectly known to Iacolino." According to investigators, Vetro would have shown "absolute willingness to hire or have hired workers indicated," even through companies active in the Messina area. In an interception, moreover, Vetro would have traced the "total availability" of Iacolino back to previous funding received from him in previous electoral campaigns.

According to the order, Vetro would have systematically exploited Iacolino to establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with key figures in the regional administration in the sectors of public works and healthcare. Iacolino, in addition to declaring himself available to deal with the administrative obligations relevant to his office, would have persistently urged the general and administrative directors of the Asp of Messina, creating a direct and confidential channel with Vetro. All very serious accusations, according to the judges and the documents. Vetro, who is now an entrepreneur, was a big player in the mafia of Favara and for this reason served nine years in prison, while Teresi is the other heavy name. Arrested in 2020 and on trial for corruption, the same crime charged today. Yet within the regional administration, he has maintained positions of responsibility, continuing to deal with contracts despite the accusation of having manipulated them in exchange for money when he was head of the Civil Engineering of Trapani, so indispensable that he was kept in service even after reaching retirement age.