OfGiuseppe Guastella
The words of the Ligurian governor to the entrepreneur: «As usual, these days» Spinelli to Signorini: «At 83 years old they can’t do anything to me»
FROM OUR REPORTERS
GENOA – He constantly needs money to continue his small personal movement in the various elections with which he has conquered Liguria twice.
Politics is expensive, and when he can’t make it Giovanni Toti pays cash with his financier Aldo Spinelli who is always available, but only if he is sure he has the public document he needs in his pocket. And while in three years the Spinelli group reaches the value of “a billion”Toti and his Committees barely cash in 74 thousand euros which now also cost him arrest for corruption.
«I’ll come to visit you»
The May 3, 2020as happens too often, Spinelli and Toti talk on the phone. The first complains because he could work harder if he had more space and instead the Port Authority would do nothing to make the unused areas of the port available to logistics companies: «We are strangled, we no longer know where to put the work! We are lucky that there is work, for everyone (…). It’s shameful!”.
«But it’s going well, come on! The port is growing”claims the governor with a hint of pride, and then it will be done the breakwater which will increase the volume of traffic.
«But let’s hope. But let’s meet for a while! Now, okay, think about the elections”Spinelli responds by launching a hook that Toti cannot miss: «I’m coming to visit you! I’ll come to visit you, because I haven’t come yet before the elections. Now let’s organize”. On May 25 Spinelli paid him 15 thousand euros.
Everything in order
Both Spinelli and Toti require that financing be regularly declared according to the law. «Send the documents where we want him to make a payment to Spinelli’s secretary, who will make it normal like everyone else», the governor orders the assistant on September 1st. In the days when the crucial (for Spinelli) is discussed extension of Bulk cargoboth of them don’t seem to realize that regular financing in exchange for a measure is still a bribe.
“My son doesn’t want it”
It will take months before Rinfuse reaches the end of the line in early December, when Spinelli will pay the 40 thousand euros «repeatedly requested by Giovanni Toti» to the Giovanni Toti-Liguria Committee, writes the Financial Police. The entrepreneur, however, makes no secret of that his son Roberto (investigated) reproaches him: “He doesn’t want me to finance the parties, but I have to do it”. Also a fund manager who at that time holds the 45% of Spinelli srl is quite worried. “It’s a reputational problem because political parties are part of the various institutions and therefore can always be seen as corruption,” Papale Papale tells him.
Spinelli, “a little disheartened”note the Fiamme Gialle, replies that it is important to «support at a local level». In fact, he continues, but keeps the manager’s words in mind to use them with the former minister Claudio Burlando who knows very well what the connection is with Toti, who had accused Spinelli of betrayal precisely for having met the former PD minister. «I can’t help you, I told him very clearly (…) which in past years we did to everyone. We can’t, because the funds have forbidden it, belin». The investigations documentally prove that he continued to subsidize Giovanni Toti.
The boat
«When will you show me this boat? When we see each other, what should I ask you for a few things as usual these days?”says Toti winking on the phone to Spinelli who has just bought a new 9 million yacht. There are policies on the horizon – the centre-right will win – and as always the coffers are empty. A few days earlier, the August 10, 2022while he was planning the electoral campaign, a collaborator had to tell him that they couldn’t afford advertising on buses in Genoa: “Later on, otherwise we won’t be able to do it financially.” On September 8, after visiting the boat, 15 thousand euros arrive from the king of logistics.
The Tennis Master
For the final of Monte Carlo Tennis Masters on 17 April 2022as always Aldo Spinelli wants to amaze Paolo Signorini, his precious one president of the Port Authority to which he will pay 22 weekends in the Principality. Apartment and suite for two couples in the luxury Hotel de Paris and seats at Tsitsipas’ victory party. «Where the Prince’s table is, we have always gone next door», he asks the reservation clerk. A few months later, another weekend in Monaco, leave a message for Briatore: «Flavio, I’m Spinelli. Appointment confirmed at ten at 4, Hotel de Paris. I arrive with the President of the Port. Listen to me. Thank you. HI”.
“What do they do to me?”
Spinelli does not fear the consequences of his unscrupulousness, even when his vehicles illegally occupy a section of the port. To Signorini, by whom he evidently feels protected, he candidly confides that «At 83 years old, what can they do to me? A f…”. The Gdf comments: «The President did not object to anything».
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May 13, 2024 (modified May 13, 2024 | 12:12)
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