Investigation into potential venues: Fresh probe into businesses suspected of wrongdoings
The Italian Financial Police, Guardia di Finanza, has been investigating Rear, a cooperative led by Mauro Laus, a deputy for the Democratic Party (PD) in the Italian Parliament. The investigation, which began due to allegations of serious financial wrongdoing, has resulted in the notification of closure of investigations (_avviso di chiusura delle indagini_) to eight individuals, including Mauro Laus, his family members, and several associates, some of whom hold significant political roles in Turin's PD.
The most serious charges against Rear include infedeltà patrimoniale, or breach of trust regarding assets, and malversazione di erogazioni pubbliche, or misuse of public funds. Investigators claim that assets belonging to the cooperative were allegedly used for personal gain or the benefit of others, damaging the cooperative’s financial interests, and that state funds were improperly used.
In addition, investigators allege that salaries were paid to employees even when they did not perform actual work, suggesting the existence of fictitious employment or systematic absenteeism. Furthermore, Rear is accused of paying rent for apartments and garages in Turin, Rome, and Riva del Garda, which were used for the private benefit of Mauro Laus rather than for the cooperative’s official activities.
Those under investigation include Mauro Laus, his wife Maria Cardone, their two sons, Vittorio and Giuseppe Laus, Valeria Cardone, his sister-in-law and current CEO of Rear, Antonio Munafò, the president of Rear, Domenico (Mimmo) Carretta, city councilor for Sport and Major Events in Turin (PD), and Maria Grazia Grippo, president of Turin’s city council (PD).
The investigative phase has now concluded, with formal notification delivered on July 21, 2025. The next step will likely be a preliminary hearing, where the prosecuting magistrate will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the prominence of the individuals involved and the breadth of the alleged misconduct, which touches on both public finances and the integrity of cooperative management. It is suspected that the Rome apartment, rented to Rear, serves as the base of operations for PD MP Laus in his parliamentary activities. The office in Lavello, once an old support point for activities related to a public contract, has since been abandoned but remains on records.
| Allegation | Description | Involved Parties | |------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Infedeltà patrimononiale | Cooperative assets used for private benefit | Mauro Laus, family, others[1][2] | | Malversazione di erogazioni pubbliche | Misuse of public funds | Mauro Laus, family, others[1][2] | | Fictitious employment/absenteeism | Salaries paid without actual work | Cooperative employees[1][2] | | Misuse of company properties | Rent paid by cooperative for deputy’s private use | Rear, Mauro Laus[1][2] |
The investigation into Rear, led by deputy Mauro Laus, has unearthed allegations of financial misconduct that touch on the realms of business, politics, and general news. Specifically, the cooperative is accused of breach of trust regarding assets (infedeltà patrimoniale) and misuse of public funds (malversazione di erogazioni pubbliche), with the latter suggesting possible corruption. Additionally, there are claims of fictitious employment, systematic absenteeism, and misuse of company properties, indicating potential financial irregularities within Rear. The involvement of political figures, such as city councilor Domenico Carretta and Turin's city council president Maria Grazia Grippo, adds another layer of complexity to this high-profile case.
