Mondello concession battle continues

Sicily’s top administrative court has temporarily handed Mondello beach back to its longtime private operator, suspending the region’s order that stripped the concession. (ilpost.it) (rainews.it) The Consiglio di giustizia amministrativa, Sicily’s highest administrative court, accepted Mondello Immobiliare Italo Belga’s appeal and overturned a Sicily regional administrative court ruling that had backed the region. (ilpost.it) (rainews.it) Judges set May 14 for the next hearing and said the approaching summer season could create concrete public-order and safety risks if no one were managing the beach. (rainews.it) (lasicilia.it) The suspension does not settle the mafia-infiltration allegations that triggered the case. Il Post reported that the court’s interim order focused on beach management and crowd control, not on the substance of the accusations. (ilpost.it) Sicily’s territory and environment department had declared the concession forfeited in late February, saying Mondello Immobiliare Italo Belga committed serious violations and failed to meet concession obligations. (lasicilia.it) (ilpost.it) The region’s case centered on GM Edil, a maintenance contractor used by Italo Belga. Palermo’s prefect had issued an anti-mafia interdiction against GM Edil, barring it from economic relations with public administration. (ilpost.it) Il Post reported that GM Edil’s sole administrator is Rosario Genova, brother of Bartolo Genova, who was convicted of mafia crimes and described as a leading figure in the Resuttana mafia family. (ilpost.it 1) (ilpost.it 2) The same reporting said prefecture checks found at least 21 GM Edil employees had family ties to organized crime in the area, though the exact nature of those ties was not clear. (ilpost.it 1) (ilpost.it 2) The region also said there was no proof of direct mafia infiltration inside Mondello Immobiliare Italo Belga itself. Its argument was that the company entrusted beach maintenance to a contractor flagged for mafia-risk concerns. (ilpost.it) Mondello’s concession fight had already become a broader battle over access to one of Palermo’s best-known urban beaches. Last summer, the same company drew protests after installing turnstiles and fencing around large areas of the shore. (ilpost.it 1) (ilpost.it 2) Governor Renato Schifani said the region will defend its position in court, but added that if the suspension is confirmed on May 14, the summer season will proceed “as in previous years.” (lasicilia.it) For now, the company that controlled most of Mondello for 116 years can prepare the beach for summer while the courts decide whether Sicily can take the concession away for good. (ilpost.it) (rainews.it)