Milan arrests for 'corruption, bid-rigging in holiday camps'

(ANSA) - Milan, October 8 - Four people were arrested Monday as police investigate alleged irregularities in the use of public funds. An official with the City of Milan, Patrizio Mercadante, is a suspect in the investigation involving contracts worth at least 38 million euros. He could face charges including bid-rigging and corruption in an investigation that began last year. Investigators say they found irregularities in the bidding on certain public services, including holiday camps and vacation homes for children and the elderly. The secretary-general of Milan's Institute for the Blind, Antonio Picheca, is accused of corruption, forgery, and fraud against the state.
Also arrested was the owner of a travel company, Dario Zambelli, and a fourth person, Giulia Pezzoli, is under house arrest and is said to have been working with Mercadante. Investigators are also looking into other cases involving suspected misuse of public funds over which Mercadante had signing authority.