Milan, Nov. 4 (LaPresse) – The trial of Lombardy regional councillor Manfredi Palmeri, initially accused of corruption among private parties, has been modified by the Milan Tribunal, which accepted the request of prosecutor Paolo Storari. Palmeri, former manager of M-I Stadio srl, the company managing San Siro stadium for AC Milan and Inter, is now under investigation for a more serious crime: corruption of a public official. The case concerns the alleged receipt, on December 13, 2023, of a painting by Chinese artist Liu Bolin, valued at €11,000, from entrepreneur Gherardo Zaccagni, known for his role in managing the Meazza parking lots, in exchange for awarding the service contract.
The tribunal’s decision allows the prosecutor to resume using wiretap evidence previously deemed inadmissible last September. This morning, the Prosecutor’s Office summoned technical consultant architect Maurizio Bracchi to confirm the public nature of M-I Stadio srl. Based on this, Storari requested the change in charges, extending the accusation to Palmeri for corruption in relation to the exercise of public functions.
The new indictment also includes Zaccagni’s alleged promise to involve Palmeri in a new company in the large-scale retail parking sector, as well as instructions for his employees to vote for Palmeri in the 2023 regional elections in exchange for €50 and using workers for distributing campaign leaflets. Palmeri’s lawyers, Domenico Aiello and Ivan Tortorici, strongly contested the change in charges and the use of previously rejected wiretap evidence.