Milan’s Public Prosecutor has requested six precautionary arrests, including that of Giancarlo Tancredi, the city’s Urban Regeneration Councillor. The move forms part of a wide-ranging corruption and forgery investigation into urban planning and building development in the city.
Prosecutors have asked for house arrest for Tancredi and real estate entrepreneur Manfredi Catella. They have also requested prison terms for a former commission president, a landscape committee member, and two other developers.
The Guardia di Finanza, Italy’s financial police, conducted searches and document seizures at municipal offices and the homes of suspects. Among those targeted is Catella, CEO of Coima Group, a firm involved in high-profile redevelopment projects including Porta Nuova, Porta Romana, and the Olympic Village.
Catella was served with the warrant as he prepared to travel abroad. His projects have played a key role in reshaping Milan’s skyline in recent years.
Architect Stefano Boeri also under investigation
World-renowned architect Stefano Boeri, famed for the Bosco Verticale, is also under investigation. Although no detention has been requested in his case, searches were carried out at his offices. Boeri is already facing separate proceedings for alleged bid-rigging and unauthorised construction.
The redevelopment of the Pirelli skyscraper and other major projects are at the centre of the investigation. Financial police also seized documents across city departments to build the case.
Milan’s Chief Prosecutor, Marcello Viola, stated the probe reveals a wider pattern of “uncontrolled building expansion.” He said the situation had reached “extremely significant proportions” and warned that this investigation follows earlier preventive site seizures and arrests in related cases.
The unfolding scandal raises serious questions about transparency and governance in one of Italy’s most ambitious urban redevelopment hubs.
Earlier this month, the Milan Prosecutor’s Office opened a case on an engineer over rigged prison maintenance contracts. There are also a number of corruption cases open across Italy against mayors, governors and other officials.
