Fabio Pistarelli Denies Corruption Allegations from Montacuto Prison
Fabio Pistarelli contested corruption accusations through his lawyer during his preliminary interrogation before the judge at Montacuto prison, where he chose to exercise his right not to answer questions while submitting a written defense memo. Pistarelli has spent five days sharing a cell in the Ancona correctional facility following his arrest in a widespread Dda investigation into regional reconstruction contracts.
Pistarelli resigned from his position in December 2025. Sonia Piermartini signed an arrest warrant exceeding 700 pages, which authorized custody measures for eight of the 51 total suspects named in the probe.
Legal Defense Strategy and Prosecutor Allegations
Defense attorney Gabriele Cofanelli met with Pistarelli at the prison and stated that his client completely rejects the bribery charges. Cofanelli noted that while the investigation files contain hypotheses of organized crime infiltration for other positions, they do not for his client.
The defense pointed out that prosecutors lack direct evidence, such as phone conversations demanding money from local businessmen Antonio Cervigni, 54, and Antonio Ezechielli, 62, who are both under investigation for corruption. Cofanelli confirmed that the legal team is actively evaluating an appeal to the Review Tribunal regarding the custody order.
Regional Leadership Reaction and Interrogations of Co-Defendants
Francesco Acquaroli addressed the unfolding scandal through a videomessage, describing the situation as a betrayal. Cofanelli reported that Pistarelli was deeply saddened by the governor’s public remarks, particularly given the early stage of the judicial proceedings.
Investigators also conducted initial interrogation hearings for several other detained suspects, including Enrico Crucianelli, Antonio Cervigni, and Vincenzo Chiappalone, 52, all of whom invoked their right to remain silent before the judge. A fourth businessman, Antonio Ezechielli, was in China when the Guardia di Finanza executed the arrest warrants, and his attorney, Sergio Del Medico, confirmed his return to Italy is scheduled for the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Fabio Pistarelli refuse to answer questions during his hearing?
Pistarelli exercised his legal right to remain silent during his initial interrogation before Sonia Piermartini, opting instead to submit a written memo prepared by his defense team to refute the accusations.
Who else is currently detained at Montacuto prison in connection with this probe?
In addition to Pistarelli, businessman Enrico Crucianelli is currently being held at Montacuto prison, where he is prohibited from having contact with Pistarelli under the terms of the judicial custody order.
What are the restrictions on Fabio Pistarelli while he remains in custody?
Pistarelli shares a cell with another inmate and cannot yet receive visits from his family members, as visitor permissions require a specific formal request submitted to the judge.
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