A Milan corruption investigation into urban planning irregularities has escalated significantly, with prosecutors now pursuing arrest warrants against key figures. What began as inquiries into building permit violations—including illegal construction, unlawful land division, and the since-repealed crime of official misconduct—has expanded to include corruption allegations. This shift led to the house arrest of former city manager Giovanni Oggioni in March.
On July 16th, prosecutors notified six suspects of requested arrests, outlining charges including corruption, false statements, and undue inducement. Central to the alleged “deviated system” for fast-tracking building approvals is Giuseppe Marinoni, president until April of the Landscape Commission, and former Urban Regeneration Assessor Giancarlo Tancredi.
Prosecutors allege Marinoni failed to disclose conflicts of interest with designers and firms to implement a “shadow urban plan” (Pgt). Tancredi, aware of this, allegedly secured Marinoni’s 2021 reappointment (confirmed late 2024) with Mayor Giuseppe Sala—who is also under investigation alongside them. Similar false statement charges apply to Alessandro Scandurra regarding his commission appointment.
Eight distinct corruption charges were filed. The first implicates Marinoni, Tancredi, and Federico Pella (ex-manager of engineering firm J+S). Prosecutors claim Marinoni, aided by Tancredi, formed a “remunerated corrupt agreement” with Pella, allegedly funneling nearly €370,000 through Pella as a “fee-kickback collector” to influence commission opinions on projects like Goccia-Bovisa. Tancredi allegedly participated in the “pact” without direct personal gain, evidenced by chat records.
Marinoni faces three further corruption counts involving other entrepreneurs and designers for projects including Bastioni di Porta Nuova and Portali di Gioia. He is also implicated alongside Scandurra in alleged kickbacks exceeding €138,000 paid by Manfredi Catella (CEO of COIMA, developer of Milan’s skyscrapers) for the Pirellino-Torre Botanica and Scalo Romana-Villaggio Olimpico projects. Scandurra faces additional corruption charges involving other entrepreneurs, including Andrea Bezziccheri of Bluestone, allegedly receiving over €3 million total, €2.5+ million for two projects alone.
Prosecutors further allege Tancredi committed undue inducement. They claim he interfered with the Landscape Commission’s evaluations between March and October 2023 at the request of Manfredi Catella and star-architect Stefano Boeri (also under investigation). Tancredi allegedly pressured Marinoni to secure a favorable opinion for the P39-Pirellino and Torre Botanica development to benefit Catella and Boeri economically. Mayor Sala is also listed as a participant in this alleged offense.
However, preliminary investigations judge (GIP) Mattia Fiorentini dismissed this specific undue inducement charge, clearing all five suspects named in it.
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