Former Italian Carabinieri Commander Gennaro Cassese Investigated for False Statements

Gennaro Cassese, the former commander of the Carabinieri in Vigevano, has been placed under investigation for allegedly providing false statements to public prosecutors. The inquiry focuses on his testimony from 2008 concerning the interrogation of Andrea Sempio, who was then a 19‑year‑old witness in the 2007 Garlasco murder of Chiara Poggi, sister of Marco Poggi.

Cassese told reporters he is “calm” and has filed a 335 request to verify his status in the criminal records register. Prosecutors are scrutinising his claim that he does not recall the arrival of an ambulance at the barracks and the circumstances surrounding a parking‑ticket receipt that Sempio used as an alibi on the day of the murder. His lawyer, Valter Biscotti, argues there is no legal basis for the alleged offence.

Attorney Antonio De Rensis, defending Alberto Stasi— the only convicted perpetrator in the case—pointed out that Cassese appears to remember details about Stasi but not about Sempio, highlighting inconsistencies in the 2008 interrogations. The investigation remains ongoing, with both Cassese and Sempio now facing separate probes related to the Garlasco case.