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The dramatic collapse of the Morandi Bridge on August 14, 2018, marked a tragic moment in Italian history, with 43 lives lost and a community in mourning. Recently, the Genoa Prosecutor's Office requested a sentence of 18 years and six months for John Castellucci, former CEO of Autostrade per l'Italia.
This request was presented by public prosecutors Walter Cotugno and Marco Airoldi during the trial that opened to shed light on this disaster.
The charges against Castellucci
Prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of Castellucci's conduct, arguing that he had been aware of the viaduct's structural problems since 2009. However, instead of taking action, he made business decisions geared towards maximizing profit, sacrificing safety for cost reduction. This management logic had devastating consequences, contributing to the collapse.
A controversial comparison
Prosecutors drew a bold comparison, calling Castellucci similar to Lord Voldemort, the famous antagonist from the Harry Potter saga. According to the prosecution, the former CEO's behavior created an environment of fear and intimidation, making it impossible to openly discuss his actions. Prosecutors described Castellucci as an individual who had accumulated a "catalog of negative elements”, stressing that his choices were driven by a desire for personal profit and the will to guarantee high dividends to shareholders.
The reactions and the future of the process
Castellucci's defense, represented by the lawyer Guido Carlo Alleva, strongly contested the request for punishment, calling it unacceptable. According to the lawyer, it would be unfair to include considerations of the engineer's personality and private life in a trial for negligent crimes. Alleva stated: "Personal considerations should not influence the judgment, which must remain grounded in the facts and evidence presented."
Impact of previous convictions
The lawyer expressed concern about the impact Castellucci's conviction for the Avellino massacre could have on this new trial. He emphasized that the two situations are distinct and that the engineer is already facing the consequences of his previous conviction. "We must focus on the legal and factual arguments we will present," Alleva stated, emphasizing the importance of a fair and just trial.
The companies involved and the compensation
In addition to the former CEO, the trial also involves 56 other defendants, including company representatives Pay-off e Spea, the latter responsible for monitoring the bridge. These companies chose to settle the case, paying a total of €29 million in damages and compensating almost all of the victims' families out of court. They also contributed financially to the construction of a new viaduct, thus attempting to assume responsibility for the disaster.
The trial continues to spark intense public and legal debate, reflecting the profound implications of this tragic event. The sentencing request for Castellucci represents a significant step in the quest to bring justice to the victims and their families, while the community anxiously awaits the final outcome.