
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 31, 1993                   TAG: 9307310187
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: ROME                                LENGTH: Short

8 ITALIAN POLITICIANS IMPLICATED IN SCHEME

Italy's corruption probe has uncovered the biggest suspected bribery scheme yet, with jailed businessmen claiming two former premiers and other top politicians took a total of nearly $100 million in payoffs.

Former premiers Bettino Craxi and Arnaldo Forlani and six other politicians are being investigated, news reports said Friday. All denied the charges.

Corruption probes here have revealed systematic payoffs by private industry to politicians and parties. More than 2,500 people have been implicated since the investigation began 17 months ago.

But this would be the biggest bribery operation to come to light.

The case centers on the creation and quick demise of Enimont, a joint venture between the chemical arm of the huge state-run energy company ENI and Montedison, a subsidiary of the Ferruzzi family agro-chemical concern.

Under scrutiny is the state's $1.9 billion payment to buy out Montedison's share when Raul Gardini, who engineered the venture, decided to pull out.

Tycoon-yachtsman Gardini committed suicide last week, reportedly with arrest imminent. ENI's former chairman, Gabriele Cagliari, killed himself this month in his jail cell while being held for questioning. - Associated Press

by CNB