Fifteen people – including administrators, municipal officials and private individuals – were reached by notices of the conclusion of the investigations as part of an investigation into the management of public affairs in Cotronei, conducted by the Carabinieri of Petilia Policastro under the coordination of the Crotone Prosecutor’s Office, led by the Prosecutor Domenico Guarascio.
The investigation, which lasted over three years, brought to light alleged irregularities in procurement, documentary falsification and undue pressure from external parties on the municipal administration. According to the investigators, the interference would have affected political and management choices, resulting in illicit economic advantages and a framework of widespread bad management.
Among the main strands is that linked to the 1.3 million euro project “Borgo della Musica Rock – Steven Tyler”, financed with regional funds and never realised. The initiative, created to create a museum dedicated to the leader of Aerosmith – whose family has origins in Cotronei – was supported by the artist himself, who said he was willing to inaugurate it with a free concert together with his daughter Liv Tyler.
According to what emerged, false public documents, lack of landscape authorizations and illegitimate expropriation procedures would have compromised the realization of the work. The investigation also revealed episodes of fraud, extortion, electoral corruption and attempted undue inducement.
The suspects, as required by law, will now be able to view the documents and present their defences. The presumption of innocence remains valid until any final sentence.