Catania, mafia and corruption in the municipality of Tremestieri: 11 arrests, the deputy governor of Sicily Luca Sammartino suspended

Sammartino is vice president of the Region and leader of the League. The mayor, a former opponent under house arrest, was arrested

The Carabinieri of the provincial command of Catania are executing a precautionary measure order against 11 people including political exponents, municipal officials and entrepreneurs accused, in various capacities, of political-mafia electoral exchange, extortion aggravated by the mafia method, aggravated corruption, incitement to corruption and disturbed freedom of auctions.

Among those arrested was the mayor of Tremestieri Etneo, Santi Rando. His political opponent, Mario Ronsisvalle, later his ally, was under house arrest. The vice president of the Region and leader of the League Luca Sammartino has been suspended from public duties for a year.

The investigation, coordinated by the District Prosecutor's Office of Catania and conducted by the Catania investigative unit between 2018 and 2021, shed light on illicit agreements between some administrators of the municipality of Tremestieri Etneo and elements close to the "Santapaola-Ercolano" mafia gang, concerning the election in 2015 of the current mayor Santi Rando, recipient of pre-trial detention in prison for political-mafia electoral exchange and aggravated corruption