On April 18, 2025, the Italian Council of Ministers made a significant decision to dissolve the Municipality of Caserta due to alleged infiltration by organized crime, specifically the Camorra. This action, proposed by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, was taken during a meeting convened the day before and also extended to the municipalities of Aprilia in Lazio, as well as Badolato and Casabona in Calabria.
The dissolution of the Caserta administration has sent shockwaves through the local community. Carlo Marino, the mayor of Caserta, who has held the position since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021, described the decision as "an act of a political nature as well as an abnormal administrative act." He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We will immediately request access to the documents and, subsequently, appeal the decision before the Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR)." Marino, who is also the current president of ANCI Campania, expressed his determination to challenge what he views as a politically motivated decision against the city and its residents.
The decision to dissolve the municipality was not taken lightly. It follows a series of investigations and judicial issues that have plagued the administration over the past year. In June 2024, significant judicial problems emerged involving key figures from Marino's council, who were accused of engaging in corrupt practices, including awarding municipal contracts in exchange for favors and votes. These allegations pointed to connections with the Belforte clan of Marcianise, a notorious group within the Camorra.
According to reports, the investigations led by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere resulted in several arrests among the municipality's top officials and employees, including the councilor for public works. Although some of these arrests were later annulled by the Review Tribunal, the damage to the administration's reputation had already been done.
After the investigation, a commission appointed by the Ministry of the Interior arrived in Caserta to assess the situation further. Despite Marino's attempts to reset his administration by replacing several council members, the Access Commission's report ultimately led to the decision to dissolve the municipality.
Marino is currently facing his own legal challenges, as he is on trial in Santa Maria Capua Vetere for a separate case involving rigged waste contracts from 2021. This situation further complicates the political landscape in Caserta, where trust in local governance is already at a low point.
The dissolution of Caserta is part of a broader crackdown on corruption and organized crime in Italy. The Council of Ministers' decision also targeted other municipalities, including Aprilia, where former mayor Lanfranco Principi faces immediate trial on charges related to mafia infiltration. Similarly, the mayors of Badolato and Casabona have also been implicated in criminal activities, leading to their municipalities being governed by commissioners.
In Aprilia, the ongoing investigation has revealed a network of corruption involving 18 defendants, all arrested as part of a major operation by the Carabinieri. This operation has highlighted the pervasive influence of organized crime in local governments across Italy.
In Casabona, former mayor Francesco Seminario was arrested in October 2024 for political-mafia exchanges, while in Badolato, former mayor Giuseppe Nicola Parretta was arrested earlier this year for 'Ndrangheta-related activities. These arrests are part of a larger trend of exposing the links between organized crime and local political structures.
The situation in Caserta is emblematic of the challenges Italy faces in combating organized crime at the municipal level. As the investigations continue and the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for local governance and public trust are significant. The residents of Caserta, like many others in similar situations, are left grappling with the consequences of corruption and the actions taken by their elected officials.
As the story develops, it remains to be seen how the legal battles will unfold and what the future holds for the municipality of Caserta. The appeal process initiated by Marino will likely be closely watched, not only for its potential impact on his political career but also for the broader implications it may have on governance standards and the fight against organized crime in Italy.
In the meantime, the dissolution of the Caserta administration serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against corruption and the influence of organized crime in Italian politics. The actions taken by the Council of Ministers reflect a commitment to addressing these issues, but the effectiveness of such measures will ultimately depend on the outcomes of the ongoing investigations and trials.
