The power of attorney Palermo made significant conviction requests during the trial known as ‘Giano Bifronte’, which investigates a network of corruption within the municipality’s private housing department during the administration of former mayor Leoluca Orlando.
The investigation has implicated several politicians and municipal officials, with overall requests for sixty years in prison for the nine defendants involved.
The prosecutors Andrea Fusco and Giovanni Antoci requested the highest amount of punishment, eight years of imprisonment, for the entrepreneur Giovanni Lupo, believed to be a hidden partner and responsible for the Biocasa.
Other key figures follow with requests for seven years such as the entrepreneur Francesco La Corte, the former technical manager Mario Li Castri, the architect Fabio Seminerio, and the former city councilors Giovanni Lo Cascio and Sandro Terrani, respectively former exponents of the Democratic Party and Italia Viva.
The situation becomes complicated with six years of imprisonment requested for Agostino Minnuto and Giovanna D’Attardi, the latter partner of Giuseppe Monteleone, another of the accused.
The investigation was inspired by the statements of Filippo Salvatore Bisconti, a mafia turncoat, and brought to light corruption maneuvers linked to significant construction projects, including a controversial subdivision which saw an increase in the number of housing units to be built.
The trial takes place in front of the third section of the Palermo court, with a host of lawyers ready to defend the defendants, a sign of the high stakes. The community now awaits the final arguments and subsequent sentencing.
