The mayor of Molfetta, Tommaso Minervini, has been placed under house arrest following a corruption investigation led by the Guardia di Finanza. The inquiry centres on alleged irregularities in the awarding of public contracts in exchange for electoral support.
The order was issued by a preliminary investigations judge (gip) after the preventive interrogation of eight individuals on 2 May. The judge upheld nearly all the charges brought by the Trani Public Prosecutor’s Office, including corruption, bid-rigging, embezzlement and forgery.
The case focuses on the long-delayed commercial port project in Molfetta. Investigators allege that Mayor Minervini offered a 30-year management concession for the port’s docks to Bari-based entrepreneur Vito Leonardo Totorizzo in return for votes.
Totorizzo has been banned from contracting with the public administration for one year. The judge also imposed house arrest on municipal manager Lidia De Leonardis, aged 58 and from Bari.
In addition, two municipal officials, Alessandro Binetti and Domenico Satalino, received one-year bans from holding public office. Former finance police lieutenant Michele Pizzo has been banned from entering Molfetta.
Minervini leads a civic coalition supported by both centre-right and centre-left political forces. His lawyer, Tommaso Poli, expressed disappointment with the court’s decision.
“We expected a different outcome after the lengthy 2 May interrogation, during which we believed we had addressed the charges,” said Poli. “We take note of the gip’s assessment, which we do not share, and we will appeal.”
The defence maintains that Minervini acted “with honesty and in the exclusive interest of the city of Molfetta.” Poli also noted that prosecutors acknowledged the mayor did not personally benefit from the alleged misconduct.
This is just the latest in a litany corruption charges levied at mayors and governors.
At the end of May 2025, the mayor of Sorrento was arrested for taking bribes. In February 2025, the Molise governor was placed under investigation for corruption. The same for the Vigevano mayor in November 2024. Liguria governor Toti took a plea bargain in September 2024, whilst prosecutors are pressing for indictment against the Venice mayor, also for corruption.
