The Court of Auditors in Rome, ruling on the matter reserved at the hearing of 27 October 2023, revoked the seizure ordered at the request of the Public Audit Prosecutor’s Office against the Grieco brothers, owners of the Pro Shop Group.
Before the designated judge, Councillor Massimo Balestrieri, counsel for the Grieco Group challenged in toto the grounds for the seizure, which had affected not only the individuals but also numerous companies of the Group, including Audace Cerignola.
As early as the day after the hearing, in view of the insurmountable legal issues raised, the Public Audit Prosecutor’s Office itself released, in self-correction, the assets and accounts of all the Grieco Group companies.
By decision filed on 8 November, the Court of Auditors fully annulled the seizure, ordering the return of the remaining assets to the individuals.
The case concerned certain investments made by the Grieco family in the renewable energy sector.
The proceedings demonstrated the complete regularity of all the transactions carried out to acquire the photovoltaic parks targeted by the Guardia di Finanza.
It also emerged that the GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici), the public body responsible for inspections, had carried out thorough site inspections from 2012 to 2016, finding no irregularities.
Michele Vaira on the Court’s decision:
“The Prosecutor’s decision, immediately after the hearing in chambers on 27 October, to revoke of its own accord the seizure against all the companies had given rise to a certain confidence in the final outcome. We were convinced of our good arguments, but the importance of the seizure and the media uproar surrounding the case required great caution and extreme care in the defence.
We believe we have demonstrated, beyond any doubt, the complete regularity and transparency of our clients’ conduct, far removed from any form of wrongdoing.”
Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno del 10 November 2023
