Searches target Simico, Graffer in Cortina probe

Italian police searched offices tied to Simico and Graffer on Thursday as prosecutors in Belluno investigated the award of the Apollonio-Socrepes cable-car contract in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a project linked to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The searches took place in Rome, Milan, Brescia, Naples and Cortina d'Ampezzo, according to the Belluno prosecutor's office. Prosecutors said the suspected offense is interference with the freedom of a public tender. Italian outlets including LaPresse, ANSA and regional broadcasters identified Simico as the contracting company and Graffer as the builder. ### Which companies were searched, and why? LaPresse said judicial police from Belluno's mobile squad and the State Police's central operations service in Rome carried out searches at premises linked to SiMICO S.p.A. and GRAFFER S.r.l. on May 21. The Belluno prosecutor's office said the case concerns the Apollonio-Socrepes cable-car works and an alleged violation involving the tender process. (lapresse.it) Belluno prosecutors said their working theory is that collusive agreements or other fraudulent methods deliberately favored Graffer in the award of the works, to the detriment of other interested companies. Prosecutors added that investigators suspect the parties knew the timetable would not allow the lift to enter service before the start of the Olympic Games. ### Who is under investigation? (lapresse.it) ANSA reported that three people are formally under investigation in the Belluno prosecutor's inquiry. One of them is Fabio Massimo Saldini, the chief executive of Simico, according to Belluno chief prosecutor Massimo De Bortoli. Corriere del Veneto was cited in the source briefing as naming Simico and Graffer in the inquiry and reporting that Saldini was under investigation on Thursday. (lapresse.it) ANSA separately matched that account on the number of suspects and Saldini's role. ### How broad were the searches? Rome, Milan, Brescia, Naples and Cortina d'Ampezzo were all listed by prosecutors and Italian media as locations where searches were under way on Thursday. (ansa.it) Giornale di Brescia reported that the Brescia leg of the operation involved the same Belluno prosecutor's inquiry into the Cortina cable-car contract. ANSA's English service said offices of Simico and Graffer in Rome, Milan, Brescia and Cortina were searched for evidence in relation to the probe. (ansa.it) LaPresse and Rai's regional service also reported searches in Naples. ### What have prosecutors and the government said? Massimo De Bortoli said no questioning of the suspects is scheduled for now because investigators first need to complete the acquisition of documents, including digital material, useful for reconstructing the facts, ANSA reported. (lapresse.it) The searches also included personal and IT searches involving those under investigation, according to the prosecutor's office statement carried by LaPresse and ANSA. Italy's Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said it respected the investigation and was confident the rules had been followed. Ministry sources said the success of the Milano-Cortina Olympics had been achieved despite tight deadlines that required rapid work. ### What is the next step in the case? Belluno prosecutors said the immediate next step is the review of the paper and digital evidence seized in the searches. (ansa.it) ANSA reported that no summonses are planned yet and that investigators are still building the factual record with the help of technical consultants. (lapresse.it)