Milan prosecutors have secured indictments against six individuals in the fourth major trial stemming from an extensive investigation into urban planning corruption. The case centers on the Park Towers complex in the Lambro Park area (via Crescenzago), comprising three buildings (81m, 59m, and 10m tall) totaling 113 apartments.
Judge Alessandra Di Fazio ordered the trial to proceed on November 12th before Milan’s Tenth Criminal Court, accepting prosecutors’ requests. The defendants face charges including illegal construction, unlawful land division, and forgery. They are:
Andrea Bezziccheri (real estate developer, Bluestone)
Sergio Francesco Maria Asti (architect)
Three former Milan Unified Building Permit Office officials: Carla Barone, Francesco Rosata, Maurizio De Luca
Roberto Vederio (legal representative, Devero Costruzioni)
Prosecutors allege the Park Towers project was a “speculative operation favoring private investors.” They contend developers improperly used a fast-track renovation declaration (Scia) instead of the required implementation plan, bypassing obligations to provide public amenities like green space and parking. Further accusations include violations of urban planning and landscape laws, plus underpayment of mandatory development fees.
This case reflects broader patterns uncovered in probes spanning three years. Investigators allege a “deviated system” manipulated zoning regulations (“varianti”), falsely justifying increased building volumes and heights for private gain under the guise of “social housing” or public interest. Prosecutors claim bribes, disguised as consultancy fees, were paid to the Landscape Commission for project approvals.
Notably, defendant Bezziccheri also faces recent detention requests in the wider probe. Prosecutors recently closed a separate 2022 investigation involving him and 25 others concerning the “Hidden Garden” building. Bezziccheri, defended by lawyer Andrea Soliani, maintains he “acted respecting the rules, in absolute transparency and good faith.”
Meanwhile, related trials concerning projects at Via Stresa (Torre Milano, where Mayor Sala testified) and Via Fauchè are underway. A pre-trial hearing for the Bosconavigli residential complex in San Cristoforo (designed by indicted architect Stefano Boeri) is scheduled for September 26th. The Lombardy Court of Auditors separately alleges €300,000 in damages to the public treasury in the Park Towers case.
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