CROTONE - A serious corruption and abuse of office scandal is rocking the public school system in Calabria. The Carabinieri of Crotone placed two people under house arrest today, November 12th. The defendants are a 69-year-old former headmaster (S.I.) of a secondary school in Crotone and the 40-year-old owner (C.E.) of a local center for school and university courses.
The operation coordinated by the public prosecutor's office under the direction of Domenico Guarascio exposes a suspected system of nepotism and self-service. The list of accusations is extensive and serious: it ranges from extortion, bribery, embezzlement and fraud to forgery of public documents and violation of official secrets.
A school principal acts like a „godfather“
The 69-year-old former director is at the center of the investigation. He is accused of systematically exploiting his position. He allegedly tried to blackmail a construction company: The company was to waive claims for work on his son's house, otherwise he would withdraw future school contracts. He allegedly demanded a „commission“ of 3,500 euros from a furniture supplier who had received a school order, which was later converted into free services, including a move.
The allegations of embezzlement and manipulation of audits are particularly serious. The ex-principal is not only said to have stolen school inventory such as a table football table and armchairs for private purposes, but also and relatives were wrongly awarded posts and salaries. He is also said to have forced teachers (examination commissioners) to promote a candidate who had failed the Matura (A-levels) by threatening to revoke their license for sideline activities.
Accomplice in examination fraud
Both of those arrested, S.I. and C.E., are also allegedly involved in a bribery scandal. They allegedly accepted money from candidates for the „T.F.A. Sostegno“ (an important test for remedial teachers) in order to give them the answers to the test questions in advance. The 40-year-old C.E. is also accused of procedural fraud. After his cell phone was confiscated, he is said to have obtained a new SIM card with the same number in order to log into Telegram and delete incriminating chats.
The authorities emphasize that this action is part of a larger initiative to restore legality in public administration. The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants until a final conviction is handed down.
