Two key figures in Milan’s urban planning probe mounted contrasting defenses during pre-trial hearings, with one attacking prosecutors for alleged “moral judgments” while another insisted he acted solely for the public good. Former city assessor Giancarlo Tancredi and Giuseppe Marinoni, ex-head of the now-dissolved Landscape Commission, faced questioning before preliminary investigations judge Mattia Fiorentini, who must rule on custody requests filed by prosecutors.
Marinoni declined to answer questions directly but submitted a legal memorandum through his lawyer Eugenio Bono. The document contends prosecutors built their 400-page case on “presumed illicit systems” and “moral judgments” rather than “concrete elements,” calling the probe a disproportionate “trial against Milan’s entire building speculation.” His defense seeks dismissal of the precautionary measure request, citing lack of necessity.
Tancredi, who resigned as assessor and temporarily stepped aside as a city official, testified for 90 minutes. His lawyer Giovanni Brambilla Pisoni presented documents before Tancredi asserted he “always acted in the Comune’s interest,” denying intentionally favoring Marinoni or pursuing personal gain. He specifically defended Mayor Giuseppe Sala’s conduct during his testimony.
Meanwhile, Coima CEO Manfredi Catella underwent extended questioning, stating: “I decided to answer all the judge’s questions to enable correct factual reconstruction.” Catella submitted documented evidence challenging the allegations and proactively relinquished corporate duties involving public administration contact—a move potentially influencing the judge’s custody decision.
Prosecutors seek house arrest for Tancredi and Catella, while requesting imprisonment for Marinoni, his former deputy Alessandro Scandurra, Bluestone patron Andrea Bezziccheri, and architect-manager Federico Pella. Judge Fiorentini must evaluate all defenses before ruling on custody measures, potentially by month’s end.
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