Earthquake investigation, former head of cabinet uses right not to respond
The former chief of staff of the Marche Region, in prison for corruption, prepares a defense statement
Quick Look
Fabio Pistarelli, former chief of staff of the Marche Region, made use of the right not to answer during the interrogation in the 'Reconstruction' investigation into controlled public procurement and alleged criminal infiltration.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The 'Reconstruction' investigation investigates alleged controlled procurement and infiltration of mafia gangs in post-earthquake reconstruction. Fabio Pistarelli is accused of criminal association aimed at corruption.
Sonia Piermartini, Fabio Pistarelli - former head of cabinet of the President of the Marche Region Francesco Acquaroli, who resigned in December 2025, made use of the right not to answer before the investigating judge of Ancona - during the interrogation in the Ancona prison of Montacuto where he is in precautionary custody in the investigation of the DDA of Ancona "Reconstruction" which includes various strands including that of public procurement driven by a "clique", in exchange for money and other benefits that Pistarelli would have had as a reference.
Pistarelli is preparing a brief to explain his version of events.
This was reported by Pistarelli's lawyer, Gabriele Cofanelli, as he left the prison. The defense maintains that there is no danger of evidence being tampered with and will present an appeal to the Review against the detention in prison applied in particular for the charge of criminal conspiracy aimed at corruption; the former head of Cabinet, the defender specified, is not accused of aggravating the mafia or wasting public money. Pistarelli, who ended up in prison with eight other people involved in various capacities in the investigation, had various materials seized, including his PC and diaries. In the same context, the entrepreneur Enrico Crucianelli, arrested for various charges in the same investigation, was also connected for the interrogation.
The investigation, which also concerns hypotheses of infiltration of companies linked to 'Ndrangheta and Camorra gangs in post-earthquake reconstruction, culminated in eight arrests, 51 suspects, 17 companies involved, over 50 searches in 13 provinces of Marche, Lazio, Campania, Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Veneto.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Presentation of appeal to the Review against precautionary detention.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What will be the contents of Pistarelli's defense brief?
- What will be the outcome of the appeal to the Review?
