Trinitapoli man charged with €200,000 disability benefit fraud

The Guardia di Finanza has charged a resident of Trinitapoli, in the province of Barletta‑Andria‑Trani, with aggravated fraud for allegedly receiving a civil disability pension and an accompanying allowance worth about €200,000 since 2007. Investigators opened the case after a video posted on social media showed the man walking upright without assistance, contrary to the medical assessment that declared him totally unable to walk and requiring a wheelchair. Video footage and other evidence were used to argue that he did not meet the conditions for the benefits. The prosecution, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Foggia, has filed charges and notified the relevant agencies to suspend the payments. The regional Court of Auditors will also examine potential fiscal damage to the public treasury.