The Palermo investigating judge has ordered house arrest for former Sicilian Regional Vice President Gaetano Armao, accused of corruption. The decision follows the suspect's preliminary questioning.

According to Palermo prosecutors, using his roles as an expert for the regional president and president of the Specialized Technical Commission for regional environmental authorizations, he, through his accomplice, lawyer Pierluigi Matta, allegedly pocketed money from several businessmen in exchange for favors.

The bribes were formally claimed to be fees received by Matta for legal advice, which he never actually provided. The lawyer allegedly withdrew the money, which had been transferred to his account, and then handed it over in cash to Armao.

Investigators placed cameras in Armao and Matta's car and offices captured several transactions involving money between the two. The investigating judge also placed Matta under house arrest. After the arrest warrant was served, Armao, husband of former Justice Minister Giusy Bartolozzi's chief of staff , resigned from his position as legal advisor to Sicilian Governor Renato Schifani.

(Unioneonline)

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