Sicily pension funds face corruption probe and fraud crackdown

Authorities in Sicily are intensifying efforts to combat pension-related fraud and corruption. An investigation into the Fondo Pensioni Sicilia has led to the notification of the conclusion of preliminary investigations for Filippo Nasca, the former director of the regional pension fund, and insurance broker Angelo Lojacono.

The probe focuses on a tender procedure for asset management mandates issued in early 2025. Investigators suspect that Nasca may have provided Lojacono with confidential information regarding the tender process before its official publication, potentially compromising the fairness of the competition.

In a separate but related effort to protect social security funds, the INPS and the Guardia di Finanza have announced joint operations in Palermo. This collaboration aims to intercept recurring pension fraud by targeting specific high-risk profiles. The initiative seeks to shift from reactive measures to preventative actions, addressing criminal patterns where individuals repeatedly commit fraud against the social security system.