* Updated article
In an action that is being processed in the Court of IvreaIn northern Italy, the former mayor of Lauriano and nine other defendants are accused of allegedly facilitating the obtaining of Italian citizenship in a scheme that is said to be fraudulent. Brazilians reportedly paid up to 10 euros to obtain the documents, according to a publication by [source name missing]. La Voce Newspaper, on Friday (04/10).
Alleged counterfeiting scheme would involve employees and intermediaries
Last Thursday (3), the Ivrea Court held the preliminary hearing on the process of alleged falsification of Italian citizenship for 68 Brazilians between 2018 and 2019, in the municipality of Lauriano, in the Piedmont region.
The investigation, which reportedly came to light weeks before the municipal elections, allegedly involved the former mayor of Lauriano, Matilde Casa, and employees of the Anagrafe sector, who supposedly forged documents to recognize the Italian citizenship of Brazilians via "jus sanguinis"—a criterion that recognizes nationality for descendants of Italians.
The defendants and the operation of the alleged scheme
According to information published in the Italian press, the defendants included public officials, intermediaries and the owners of a bed & breakfast (B&B), which would serve as a temporary stay for the Brazilians involved.
Prosecutor Valentina Bossi, responsible for the investigation, reportedly stated — as published by the newspaper La Voce — that Matilde Casa, then mayor, together with Barbara Anselmino, head of the registration department, and Giuseppe Marcucci, a municipal employee, had falsified the documents necessary for recognition of citizenship.
Furthermore, according to the prosecution, a Brazilian company allegedly assisted with logistics, coordinating the arrival of Brazilians in Italy and ensuring that they declared themselves residents, even though they did not actually live in the country.
According to the prosecutor's office and the publication of the local newspaper, Niva Detti and Mauro Franchini, owners of the B&B Cascina Colombaro, in Lauriano, would have issued alleged false declarations of residence to accommodate the scheme.
According to the accusation, municipal employees allegedly received gifts from intermediaries, including bags, jewelry and even a printer, which was allegedly given to Mayor Matilde Casa as a Christmas present in 2018.
Progress in the process and negotiations
According to the Italian newspaper, during the hearing, defense lawyers tried to transfer the case to Siena, claiming that the brokerage company operated mainly in that region, but the judge rejected the request.
The trial was postponed until December 12, when the charges will be formalized.
Still according to La Voce, Stefano Bardelli, one of the key intermediaries, reportedly requested a plea deal of two years and six months in prison.
The future of the Brazilians involved
The situation of the 68 Brazilians allegedly involved remains open.
According to the Italian press, the investigation is facing difficulties in notifying them, since many have already returned to Brazil.
* Article updated on 08/10/2024. The text above was adapted, since the process is ongoing, therefore there is no preferred decision.
