The former mayor of Avellino, Gianluca Festa, has been arrested as part of an investigation for embezzlement and undue inducement to give and promise benefits. He has been placed under house arrest along with an architect, Fabio Guerriero, the brother of a municipal councilor, and a municipal manager. 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 the Serie B basketball team that Festa was involved with, with suspicions of a criminal association arising from sponsorships obtained from companies that had contracts with the Avellino Municipality.
Gianluca Festa, a basketball enthusiast, was elected mayor of Avellino in June 2019. The investigation into his activities intensified when his home and office were searched by the Avellino prosecutor’s office. Festa’s involvement with the city’s basketball team, struggling after a bankruptcy, has come under scrutiny. In a bid to save basketball in Avellino, Festa had personally contributed funds to ensure the registration of an Irpinia team in the Serie B championship. Now, Festa faces house arrest and investigation for potential corruption, criminal association, public disturbance, and forgery of public documents.
Festa has maintained his innocence, claiming that the investigations will lead to nothing. He has expressed confidence that the truth will come to light and that he and his associates are innocent. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Festa remains committed to defending himself and his reputation amidst the unfolding scandal.