Rome Officials Face Ideological Forgery Charges in Controversial Luxury Loft Project
ROME, Lazio, Italy – A scandal is brewing within Rome’s municipal administration as two senior officials from the Capitoline’s Urban Planning Department, Antonello Fatello and Piero Presutti, have been placed under investigation for alleged ideological forgery. The charges stem from their involvement in issuing building permits for a highly contentious luxury loft development on Via Petrolini in the upscale Parioli district. This investigation casts a harsh light on the city’s urban planning processes and raises serious questions about potential corruption.
The Genesis of a Scandal: From Offices to Luxury Lofts
The building at the heart of the controversy, located on Via Petrolini, has been a focal point of resident complaints. Originally an old office building owned by Caltagirone, it was demolished and is now being reconstructed as a five-story luxury loft complex by the Ecopetrolini company, owned by Luca Cieri. The issue, however, lies in the nature of the construction permits.
According to an expert report by architect Margherita Aledda, commissioned by the local residents’ committee ‘Le Muse,’ the project, despite being a complete demolition and reconstruction resulting in a building vastly different in shape, facade, footprint, and typological-volumetric characteristics from its predecessor, was initiated under a simple ‘declaration of commencement of activity.’ This type of declaration is typically valid only for renovations of existing structures, not for entirely new constructions.
The Allegations: Illegal Permits and Millions in Savings
Investigative hypotheses suggest that the Capitoline officials knowingly issued illegitimate building permits. The most significant consequence of this alleged action is a substantial saving for the developers, amounting to over 2.35 million Euros in fees that should have been paid to the city. This represents a considerable loss for municipal coffers, as highlighted by the expert consultant’s conclusion: “It does not appear that the PAU (Urban Planning and Implementation) department detected the significant underestimation of the extraordinary contribution due (from the developers).”
The investigation aims to determine whether this was a result of superficiality, negligence, or deliberate action. Prosecutors Giuseppe De Falco and Clara De Cecilia are reportedly confident in the evidence gathered, which is further corroborated by an independent expert’s findings.
Key Players and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Antonello Fatello, the Director of Urban Planning, and Piero Presutti, a colleague from the same department, are the two officials under scrutiny. Fatello’s involvement is particularly noteworthy, as he was reportedly assigned to a different department (Mobility) during the crucial phase of issuing these controversial permits. This detail could lead to further revelations as the investigation unfolds.
Luca Cieri, the owner of Ecopetrolini, is expected to be questioned by magistrates in the coming week, assisted by his lawyer Gianluca Tognozzi. The probe also includes a financial analysis that could implicate other municipal and city officials, focusing on the significant financial damage caused by the alleged non-payment of concession fees.
Broader Implications: A Systemic Issue?
This case is not an isolated incident. Another recent ruling by the TAR (Regional Administrative Court) sided with residents regarding an unlawfully constructed building in Flaminio, further underscoring concerns about lax oversight and potential irregularities in Rome’s urban development sector. The Via Petrolini case, with its allegations of ‘permits at rock-bottom prices,’ strengthens the perception among residents that the city’s building regulations are being manipulated for private gain.
The Road Ahead: Justice and Accountability
The investigation is in its early stages, but the implications are significant. Beyond the financial losses for the city, the alleged ideological forgery erodes public trust in the integrity of the urban planning process. Residents are demanding transparency and accountability from their elected officials and public servants. This case will be a crucial test of the justice system’s ability to uncover and prosecute potential corruption at the highest levels of municipal administration.
The outcome of this investigation could lead to a broader review of building permit procedures in Rome, ensuring that future developments adhere strictly to legal and ethical standards, and that the city’s resources are protected from exploitation.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_gennaio_09/palazzina-di-via-petrolini-a-roma-indagati-due-dirigenti-capitolini-per-falso-ideologico-8f63f5da-6a2a-4fd7-a586-6407e44baxlk.shtml
