Court annuls extortion charges against entrepreneur Simona Coppola

The Court of Review has annulled the precautionary detention order for entrepreneur Simona Coppola, overturning previous anti-mafia accusations. Coppola had been placed under house arrest following an investigation into the D’Alessandro clan.

Prosecutors had alleged that Coppola was involved in an extortion scheme where Valentine's Day boxes were forced upon bars and restaurants in the Stabia and Monti Lattari areas. However, the court accepted arguments from her legal team stating there was an absence of serious evidence of guilt. The investigation suggests that the clan boss, Paolo Carolei, and his associate, Francesco Avallone, carried out the business without Coppola's knowledge.

While Coppola's charges were dropped, the legal proceedings regarding other figures in the investigation continue.