Antonio Gurrieri, extraordinary commissioner and acting president of the Eastern Adriatic Sea Port System Authority, is under investigation for money laundering according to Shipping Italy
Trieste Public Prosecutor’s Office
The local newspaper Il Piccolo revealed the news, specifying that the investigation is being conducted by the Trieste Public Prosecutor’s Office into large sums paid by Asian companies to MMG, an Austrian company founded by Gurrieri to provide consulting and training services in the transport sector, in which he is an international expert.
(Financial Police) conducted searches
The manager reportedly received a notice of investigation in recent weeks, and the Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police) has already conducted searches at his home and office, seizing material.
Challenged the search warrant
Defense attorney Alessandro Diddi has challenged the search warrant, and a hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday at the Trieste Court of Review. He maintains that the charges are unfounded, and his client can prove this.
The investigation
The investigation was reportedly launched after a tax audit uncovered significant, unaccounted-for transactions from years ago, suggesting illicit funds. The defense believes this suspicion is unfounded, citing private-sector compensation from companies for consulting and training
Candidate for president of the Trieste and Monfalcone Port
Regarding the port, Gurrieri, in addition to being the designated candidate for president of the Trieste and Monfalcone Port System, is also CEO of the Alpe Adria company, which operates in transport and intermodal services.
Release of GurrieriÂ
Gurrieri released this statement on the case: “Regarding the accusation from the Trieste Prosecutor’s Office, I am confident I can demonstrate that I acted legally and with full transparency. I met with the magistrates, during which I made a voluntary statement.
My lawyer and I will submit a brief to the competent prosecutor, confident that the case will be closed soon. I am not under investigation for my past and present activities at the Port, nor for my role in Alpe Adria, but for private matters which I will clarify.
Therefore, I will not allow anyone to tarnish thirty years of a respected and honorable career. I trust that a fair assessment of the incident will confirm the correctness of my actions. For this reason, I intend to cooperate with the judicial authorities, in whom I have the utmost trust.”
It is noteworthy that Antonio Gurrieri has been appointed Special Commissioner of the Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority, which oversees the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone. The appointment was made by decree of Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, following agreement from Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional president, Massimiliano Fedriga, and consultations with parliamentary commissions in both chambers.
Gurrieri had been serving as acting Secretary General of the Port Authority over the past year. In his new role as Commissioner, he is expected to ensure the operational continuity of the authority while the formal process for appointing a new president is completed.
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