The Guardia di Finanza in Bari has executed a preventive seizure order of assets worth €400,000. The measure, issued by the Investigating Judge upon request by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, involves four individuals accused of embezzlement, forgery, money laundering, and self-laundering.
An illicit system of public fund appropriation
The operation follows a detailed investigation by Bari’s Economic and Financial Police Unit. The inquiries revealed the widespread misuse of a corporate credit card by a former director of the Regional Tourism Agency of Apulia, who passed away during the investigation.
Authorities reconstructed the scheme by analyzing administrative records, conducting financial audits, and interviewing witnesses. The misuse of public funds included personal expenditures, cash withdrawals, and purchases benefiting private enterprises.
Operational methods and lack of accountability
The investigation revealed that funds were transferred from the public treasury to a credit card through fabricated payment orders. These transactions were justified with misleading descriptions, such as petty cash, expense reimbursement, or employee contributions.
Justifying documents were nonexistent, and there were no digital records of the transactions. This illicit method was allegedly in place from 2017 to 2021.
Family involvement and money laundering
The embezzled funds reportedly also benefited the main suspect’s family members, who laundered the money to finance private ventures, such as a catering business. Investigators identified numerous assets purchased with public money and repurposed for personal use.
Preventive seizure as a precautionary measure
Based on the gathered evidence, the Investigating Judge ordered a preventive seizure of assets up to €400,000, corresponding to the proceeds of the alleged crimes. This action highlights the authorities’ commitment to combating crimes against public administration.
A call to safeguard legality
This investigation underscores the dedication of Bari’s Public Prosecutor’s Office to fostering transparency and good governance. It is important to note, however, that the individuals involved are still under preliminary investigation and have not been formally charged.
