Avellino Council Grants €30,000 to Benevento Firm Over Conflict‑of‑Interest Questions

The Comune di Avellino approved a determination allocating more than €30,000 to a communications company based in Benevento for services related to municipal events, despite the absence of a dedicated advertising budget. The decision was signed by Dr. Francesco Tolino, head of the Patrimony sector. Assessor Luca Cipriano, who oversees events, had previously confirmed that no funds were earmarked for such campaigns.

The editorial raises concerns about possible relationships between Cipriano and the awarded firm and questions whether his registration as a journalist creates a conflict of interest. While the procedure complies with formal rules, the lack of transparency and the perceived disregard for local media are criticised as a breach of institutional courtesy.