BARI - Carmela Fiorella, the wife of regional councilor Filippo Caracciolo, is at the center of a scandal following her public apology on Saturday, April 19, 2025, after winning a position as Human Resources manager at Aeroporti di Puglia. She had certified a degree in Economics and Management to secure the role, but her actual qualifications include a degree in Administration Sciences from the University of Bari and a master's degree in Personnel Organization from Bocconi University.
In her public statement, Fiorella expressed regret for her actions, stating, "I break the silence and the reserve I have maintained since the beginning of this affair to publicly take on all the responsibilities of what has happened. I was blinded by ambition to hold a professional role that I thought could crown my academic journey and my work experience in the field of human resources." Her apology comes just three days after her resignation from Aeroporti di Puglia, following an article by Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno that highlighted discrepancies in her degree certificate.
The Gazzetta reported that the document presented by Fiorella lacked attestations of conformity and a stamp. Moreover, it was allegedly issued by the University of Bari after her final exam on September 26, 2012, signed by Rector Antonio Felice Uricchio and General Director Federico Gallo. However, Uricchio was elected only 14 months later, on November 1, 2013, and Gallo was hired three years after that, on September 12, 2015. This raised serious questions about the authenticity of the degree.
As a result of these findings, the Prosecutor's Office of Bari opened an investigation on Friday, April 18, 2025. The inquiry is currently exploratory and does not involve any suspects or accusations of crime. Investigators will be interviewing Fiorella, the single procedure manager (RUP), and members of the examination commission as witnesses.
Aeroporti di Puglia has also initiated its own investigation and filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office to clarify the circumstances of Fiorella’s hiring. The company’s president, Antonio Vasile, emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "Aeroporti di Puglia, without hesitation, intended to request the immediate and thorough intervention of the judicial authority to clarify a situation that obviously sees the company as a wronged party."
In addition to the internal investigation by Aeroporti di Puglia, the University of Bari has taken steps to protect its image by reporting the discrepancies regarding Fiorella's qualifications. The university confirmed that Fiorella holds a three-year degree in Administration Sciences obtained in 2010, not a master's degree in Economics and Management as claimed.
The investigation will also examine why there was no verification of Fiorella’s academic qualifications before the final results of the competition were published or before her hiring as a manager. This verification was the responsibility of the airport company, not the examination commission.
The controversy surrounding Fiorella's hiring has sparked political backlash, particularly from the center-right. Mauro D'Attis, the regional secretary and deputy of Forza Italia, remarked, "A competition announced by Aeroporti di Puglia in no time at all, in which - incredible but true - only one person participates, and this person is the wife of a regional councilor: a matter that 'intrigues' us, but should also intrigue others, and we will see what happens." While only three candidates applied for the position, the other two were disqualified due to formal issues with their documentation.
Fiorella's resignation came with a statement acknowledging her actions and the impact they had on her family. She said, "I am ready to answer for my behavior before the competent authorities, but it is right that I pay for my mistakes and no one else." She emphasized that her husband, who was unaware of her actions, is suffering unjustly as a result.
In her apology, Fiorella expressed remorse not just to her family but also to the board of directors of Aeroporti di Puglia, the competition commissioners, and the University of Bari. She stated, "I ask for forgiveness from everyone, especially my husband, who was completely unaware and is unjustly suffering the consequences of my actions."
As the investigation continues, the implications of this scandal extend beyond Fiorella's personal accountability. The inquiry will also look into the selection process for the examination commission, which was chaired by Giuseppe Pirlo, a professor of computer security. Investigators are questioning how a commission composed of experienced professionals failed to notice the discrepancies in Fiorella's degree.
Fiorella’s past raises additional concerns. She was previously appointed to the board of Acquedotto Pugliese in 2017 on the recommendation of her husband, and her previous applications have also included claims of false qualifications. The investigation will delve into whether there were any connections between her previous roles and the current scandal.
In light of these developments, the case remains a focal point of scrutiny within the political and public sectors, as the repercussions of Fiorella's actions could lead to broader implications for Aeroporti di Puglia and its governance. The public and authorities alike are waiting to see how this situation unfolds, as it continues to raise questions about ethics and accountability in public service.
