Rome, 15 October (LaPresse) – Since the early hours of this morning, officers from the Palermo Provincial Command have been executing a preventive seizure order against a well-known construction entrepreneur, for a total amount of over €3.5 million. The individual in question is Giuseppe Piraino, who became a symbol of entrepreneurship rebelling against racketeering after filming men sent by the Cosa Nostra to collect protection money. The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by the owner of a property located in a condominium in Palermo, highlighting certain irregularities in the renovation work on the building's façade. This led to the launch of an in-depth investigation, which involved consulting databases, examining copious technical documentation obtained from the Municipality of Palermo, carrying out multiple site inspections and questioning more than 30 condominium administrators. The investigation revealed that some or all of the work had not been carried out and that the supporting documentation was lacking, quantifying the total amount of non-existent façade bonuses at approximately €7 million. In some cases, in particular, despite the Certified Notice of Commencement of Works (C.I.L.A.) having been sent to the competent authorities in 2022, the handover of the construction site and the simultaneous start of works were backdated to 30 December 2021, so as not to lose the right to the 90% tax deduction. Searches are currently being carried out at the company and other locations available to the legal representative of the construction company, who is currently under investigation for the offences of undue compensation of credits and aggravated fraud aimed at obtaining public funds.