In a brief filed with the Milan Review Court, prosecutors have outlined what they describe as the “imperious, verging on the unbelievable, and unlawful” manner in which COIMA patron Manfredi Catella interacts with public administration. The document, submitted for a hearing on Catella’s appeal against his house arrest, alleges he used city officials—namely Councillor Tancredi, Director General Malangone, and Mayor Sala—as intermediaries, treating them like “incompetent and inefficient employees.” The prosecution claims this was done to sway the opinions of the landscape commission and influence the contents of public tenders for city-owned properties to his advantage.
Catella was arrested on July 31 as part of an urban planning investigation led by prosecutors Tiziana Siciliano, Marina Petruzzella, Paolo Filippini, and Mauro Clerici. A ruling from the judges on his appeal is expected by Friday.