On the morning of this Friday 7 June 2024 the Carabinieri of the Investigative Unit of the Operations Department of the Provincial Command of Paduatogether with the Carabinieri Forestry Group of Padua, carried out a series of searches on behalf of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Padua against five peopleinvestigate for corruption crimes for acts contrary to official duties, embezzlement, unauthorized management and illicit burning of waste.
The Etra company stated in a official note of wanting to take all the measures of the case and to help the authorities shed light on the dynamics of the incident.
Illicit waste collection foiled in Padua
The investigation revealed evidence against two employees of the Etra company which provides public services, including the collection and disposal of waste from private homes and companies, incinerated in the Padua waste-to-energy plant.
The two would have altered the waste collection routeusing a company truck to collect material from three companies in the Padua area.
This material came then mixed with other waste and incinerated without the knowledge of the waste-to-energy plant staff.
The employees they would finally receive money and other benefits in exchange for these illicit collections.
An illegal landfill and non-hazardous special waste were found
During the searches today, June 7, at two of the companies investigated, large quantities of special non-hazardous wastekept in violation of the regulations and therefore seized.
Furthermore, in an area of one of the enterprises, it was discovered an illegal landfill of materials presumably made of asbestos, made safe awaiting disposal.
The official note from Etra
The multi-utility Etra was informed of what was happening and made itself available to the authorities, providing all the support required to shed light on the matter. Here you are the official note from the president of the board of directors Frasson:
“Our collectors, as well as all our employees – stated the president of the Board of Directors Flavio Frasson – they are our pride, in fact they represent the energy and effort with which ETRA takes care of the Territory. However, I reiterate that ETRA has long adopted specific company policies which clearly indicate the behavior to be followed in the workplace and, lastly, has completed significant work to adapt and update its Management Model pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 231/01, as well as the Three-Year Anti-Corruption and Transparency Plan. These policies, and these internal control measures, are based on principles of correctness and transparency and aim to guarantee legality and full compliance with the provisions of current legislation.
All employees – continues Frasson – therefore they are called to respect them: there is no compromise on this. Therefore, if, following the outcome of the investigations, responsibility emerges on the part of the two workers under investigation, we will take all appropriate measures because for us honesty and integrity are essential values that must unite all our employees. The tolerance in the event of demonstrably dishonest behavior is equal to zero and this is also to protect the reputation of the company as well as of all the other ETRA employees who, on a daily basis, carry out their duties in an absolutely professional manner, with dedication and honesty. We will therefore always be alongside the competent authorities to guarantee full legitimacy and correctness in the provision of our services”.
