Avellino Mayor Gianluca Festa has been placed under house arrest as part of an investigation into embezzlement and undue inducement to give and promise benefits. The Carabinieri, working on behalf of the Avellino prosecutor’s office, have also conducted searches on other individuals connected to Festa, including the deputy mayor, Laura Nargi, and the councilor Diego Guerriero. The investigation centers around Festa’s involvement with the city’s struggling basketball team, with suspicions of a criminal association arising from sponsorships obtained from companies that had contracts with the Avellino Municipality.
Festa was elected mayor of Avellino in June 2019 and has been known for his passion for basketball. However, his activities have come under scrutiny when his home and office were searched by the Avellino prosecutor’s office. Now, Festa faces charges of corruption, criminal association, public disturbance, and forgery of public documents. Despite maintaining his innocence and expressing confidence that the truth will come to light, Festa remains committed to defending himself amidst the unfolding scandal.
