Corruption scandal in Castellammare di Stabia exposes mafia‑linked public procurement

An investigation into the public works sector of Castellammare di Stabia uncovered a system of emergency contracts in which procurement decisions were made by a lottery‑style selection and overseen by engineer Catello Gargiulo. Councilor Ciro Cascone allegedly facilitated the awarding of contracts to private technician Luigi Cascone, bypassing fiscal checks and ignoring tax debts.

Further examination linked the irregularities to the regional Agency for the South and the C.E.M.P.E.S. consortium, revealing communications suggesting coordination with members of the Cosa Nostra mafia. The findings point to systematic collusion between local officials and organized crime in the allocation of public funds.

The scandal highlights the erosion of transparency in municipal contracting and raises concerns about the influence of criminal networks on public administration in the region.