A Palermo judge on Wednesday upheld a request by prosecutors to place former Sicilian Governor Salvatore Cuffaro under house arrest. The measure concerns alleged corruption in public-contract procedures.
Cuffaro is among 18 people under investigation for criminal conspiracy, bid-rigging and bribery tied to public contracts. The judge refused a similar arrest request for Saverio Romano — a member of parliament and coordinator of the centrist party Us Moderates (NM), part of the current ruling coalition.
The probe, led by prosecutors in Palermo, centres on manipulated public tenders, rigged bids, and irregular appointments in the regional health system. According to the authorities, Cuffaro played a central role in deciding contracts, appointing health-service officials and influencing public-service competitions.
During November searches, investigators seized roughly €80,000 in cash from Cuffaro’s Palermo residence and a property in San Michele di Ganzaria, in the Catania area. Prosecutors say the funds may derive from illicit deals tied to the alleged corruption.
Cuffaro led Sicily between 2001 and 2008. He later sat in the Italian Senate. Previously, he served nearly five years in jail between 2011 and 2015 after a final conviction for aiding Mafia members.
The judge ordered house arrest for Cuffaro, along with precautionary measures for two former health-system managers. Others involved received lighter constraints, such as obligations to report to police or bans on holding public-office titles or running enterprises for a specified period.
The refusal to detain Saverio Romano drew attention. Prosecutors will likely need parliamentary authorisation before proceedings continue against him.
The case has stirred political reactions. Some parties call for full transparency; others warn against premature media verdicts.
