Calabria wastewater plant fraud causes €600,000 public loss

The regional Court of Auditors (Corte dei Conti) has opened an investigation into an alleged €600,000 loss linked to the management of municipal and consortium wastewater treatment plants in Calabria. Nine individuals – including three public officials from the municipalities of Montepaone and San Pietro Apostolo – have been summoned to present their defence within 45 days.

The Guardia di Finanza’s investigation uncovered a scheme devised by a business group that secured contracts by offering bid discounts of more than 50 %. The illicit profits were generated by cutting operating costs, illegally disposing of sludge and waste, and halting routine and extraordinary maintenance, leading to plant degradation and repeated discharges of untreated sewage, with serious environmental and public‑health impacts.