Stefano Bandecchi, mayor of Terni, has been indicted for tax evasion involving approximately 20 million euros during his tenure at Unicusano University.
Stefano Bandecchi, the mayor of Terni, has been formally charged in Rome for accusations of tax evasion amounting to roughly 20 million euros. Prosecutors allege that these tax violations occurred while he was effectively managing the online university, Unicusano, between 2018 and 2022. Along with Bandecchi, three others associated with the university have also been brought to trial, all of whom held significant roles within the institution.
Bandecchi, who leads the Alternativa Popolare party, has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the charges. Nevertheless, financial authorities have suggested that he and the others involved have improperly taken advantage of discounted rates reserved for educational institutions for commercial purposes. The investigation led to the seizure of 20 million euros, indicating the severity of the alleged financial misconduct.
The suspicions against Bandecchi emerged following a series of unusual purchases that appear to contradict the educational mission of the university. Notable among these were a Ferrari, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a helicopter lease, and various expenses linked to the Ternana Calcio football club. Such extravagant spending has raised eyebrows and fueled the allegations of financial impropriety against him, further complicating his political and personal future as mayor.
