According to Corriere della Sera, the investigation into Milanese tenders also implicates plans for the new stadium intended for the city`s two major football clubs.
A corruption investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor`s Office into urban planning tenders now reportedly involves the proposed new stadium projects for AC Milan and Inter. This new facility is planned to be built next to the existing San Siro, which, under current proposals, would be largely demolished. This demolition plan recently received a crucial green light from the Administrative Regional Tribunal (TAR) regarding the start date of a historical preservation constraint that would have otherwise prevented it.
As reported today by Corriere della Sera, prosecutors allege that a “corrupt agreement” was in place to gain control over the future development of the Meazza Stadium and the surrounding San Siro district. This alleged scheme was uncovered and halted by the Prosecutor`s investigation, which is convinced the pact was sealed by Giuseppe Marinoni, who served as president of the Landscape Commission, and Federico Pella, an architect, manager, and partner at the integrated design firm J+S.
Commodity to be Plundered
According to the magistrates, Marinoni is described as an “unscrupulous wheeler-dealer, prone to corruption.” They contend that, by choice of Tancredi and Mayor Sala, he was appointed (prior to his resignation in recent months) to lead the Commission. This body allegedly became the “epicenter of pathologies in Milan`s urban planning management, polluted by systemic and environmental corruption,” which “dismantled all public control over land use, devaluing it into merchandise to be plundered.” There was “continuous and intense dialogue” between Marinoni and Pella regarding their objectives, including the stadium and San Siro area projects. The Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police) states that Marinoni “constantly consulted” with Tancredi, often joined by Pella and their “client” real estate investors, to achieve shared solutions that benefited Marinoni, J+S, and “the network of interest groups with which both operate.” All three individuals now face corruption charges.
Entering the San Siro Affair
But how did they allegedly become involved in the San Siro affair? Their opportunity reportedly arose when real estate developer Massimo Caputi, who is not under investigation, tasked J+S with converting the De Montel stables in San Siro into thermal baths. Chats obtained as evidence indicate that “Marinoni and Pella, in agreement with Tancredi,” sought “Caputi`s support to secure a contract for works related to the Meazza stadium, on which Mayor Sala has yet to decide.” Prosecutors state that Marinoni, with “unscrupulousness,” aimed to entice Caputi by offering his “personal help to liaise with the municipal administration on how to redevelop the areas around the entrepreneur`s thermal baths.”
Criminal Plan
According to the magistrates` theory, Marinoni and Pella`s “criminal plan” was in full swing, anticipating business opportunities in San Siro. The fate of these projects remained uncertain, dependent on Mayor Sala`s decisions, which Marinoni and Pella “anxiously awaited.” Their goal was to “devise ways to infiltrate potential ventures involving the demolition or transformation of the Meazza stadium and its surrounding areas, or the construction of new stadiums in Rozzano and San Donato.”
Olympic Village
Tancredi also pressed Marinoni regarding work on the Milan Cortina Olympic Village. In a conversation, Tancredi asked: “Could I ask you the favor of submitting the Village`s opinion by Monday 10 AM?” Marinoni replied: “When you receive the opinion and want to discuss it, feel free to call. I have a feeling they`re worried, or if you want the draft in advance, I`ll send it.” Tancredi responded: “Let`s talk about it. Indeed, there`s an Olympics issue.”
