An Italian appeals court on Thursday upheld an eight-month prison sentence for two Milan prosecutors in the Eni corruption saga. Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro were found guilty of failing to file documents supporting energy group Eni’s position in court.
The case revolves around the $1.3 billion acquisition of a Nigerian oilfield a decade ago, once Italy’s largest industry corruption trial. Eni, Shell, and all other defendants were acquitted in March 2021, ending years of high-profile legal scrutiny over the oilfield deal.
Judges in Brescia confirmed last year’s verdict, asserting that the prosecutors neglected their legal obligation to submit key trial evidence. Among the omitted materials was a video recorded by a former Eni external lawyer, deemed relevant by the Milan court.
Before the ruling, Spadaro addressed the court, insisting there was no omission and that both prosecutors acted within law and conscience. Their lawyer, Massimo Dinoia, said De Pasquale and Spadaro plan to appeal to Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.
While the appeals process unfolds, both prosecutors are permitted to continue working in their current positions in Milan. The Brescia court exercises jurisdiction over judicial conduct in Milan, highlighting the delicate oversight of prosecutors and judges in high-profile trials.
Legal observers note the ruling underscores tensions between prosecutorial discretion and accountability in cases involving major multinational corporations. The decision marks a symbolic moment in Italy’s judicial landscape, where lapses in procedural duties can carry personal consequences.