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Rome Court Orders Trial for Terni Mayor Stefano Bandecchi Over Alleged €20 Million Tax Evasion

The case centers on whether Unicusano operated as a profit-seeking holding subject to corporate income tax.

Overview

  • The Rome preliminary judge sent Bandecchi and former Unicusano leaders Giovanni Puoti, Fabio Stefanelli and Stefano Ranucci to trial, with the first hearing set for June 4 before a single-judge court.
  • Prosecutors allege that, as Unicusano’s de facto administrator, Bandecchi failed to pay about €20 million in IRES for tax years 2018–2022.
  • The Guardia di Finanza seized roughly €20–21 million in January 2023 in connection with the investigation.
  • Investigators contend the university functioned as a commercial holding since 2011, citing unusual expenses including luxury cars, a helicopter lease, football club costs and international travel.
  • Bandecchi denies wrongdoing, criticizes the probe as poorly conducted, refuses to resign and notes a 2025 first‑instance tax-court ruling that favored Unicusano.