Preliminary investigations into the alleged corruption system involving a section of Rome Capital’s Simu department have concluded. Deputy Prosecutor Carlo Villani has requested the indictment of nine suspects, including two companies, while seven other individuals have reached plea agreements with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Alleged System of Corruption
The investigation has shed light on the management of contracts for elevator maintenance in the city’s public housing. According to the prosecution, payments to contracting and subcontracting companies were contingent on a constant exchange system with public officials. The prosecution documents mention names of entrepreneurs and municipal employees involved in the scheme.
The alleged benefits exchanged were not limited to cash bribes but also included televisions, supplies of fixtures, curtains, and windows, as well as the hiring of relatives by companies that won the contracts.
Interceptions and Evidence
The investigation is also supported by a solid body of environmental and telephone interceptions. Invoices, according to the reconstruction, were allegedly released only after the delivery of gifts or money, meticulously divided among officials according to their hierarchical rank.
When the case initially broke, the preliminary investigation judge rejected precautionary measures in November 2025, citing the excessive time (over a year and a half) that had passed between the prosecutor’s request and the judge’s evaluation. The trial for those who have not entered into plea agreements is expected to begin in the coming months.
Who are the Accused and Which Neighborhoods are Involved?
The investigation involves several individuals and companies, with details available in a dedicated dossier. The alleged corruption scheme impacted elevator maintenance in public housing across various neighborhoods in Rome.
The charges highlight a systemic issue where public funds for essential services were allegedly diverted and misused for personal gain, compromising the safety and functionality of elevators in residential buildings.
Company and Official Responses
As of now, official statements from the implicated companies and officials are limited due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The Public Prosecutor’s Office continues its work to ensure transparency and accountability in public contracting.
The plea agreements reached by seven individuals indicate a partial acknowledgment of guilt or a desire to cooperate with the authorities in exchange for reduced sentences. The full extent of the corruption and its impact on the city’s infrastructure are still being uncovered.
The outcome of the upcoming trials will be crucial in determining the responsibility of the remaining nine individuals and two companies and in establishing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The city of Rome faces the challenge of restoring public trust in its administrative processes and ensuring that essential services are managed with integrity and efficiency.
