Stefano Bandecchi, the Mayor of Terni, has been indicted for tax evasion by a judge in Rome, with allegations suggesting he failed to pay around 20 million euros between 2018 and 2020 while acting as the de facto administrator of Unicusano University. This legal decision also implicates three other individuals who are set to face trial alongside Bandecchi, with the first hearing scheduled for June 4.

In response to the indictment, Bandecchi expressed no surprise, indicating that he had anticipated such a development and remains hopeful about proving his innocence during the forthcoming trial. His defense team, consisting of lawyers Filippo Morlacchini and Ali Abukar, is preparing to contest the charges, while Bandecchi's political stance has shifted over time from being part of the center-right coalition to joining Alternativa Popolare following a split with his allies. The prosecutors still consider him to have played a significant role in the university’s operations until 2021, after which he has continued to manage the institution as chairman of the board.

The case has broader implications for local governance and the integrity of public officials in Italy, particularly within the education sector, which has been scrutinized for financial irregularities. As the trial approaches, it raises questions about transparency and accountability in public offices, especially in regions like Umbria where Bandecchi has held significant influence as a political figure.