The Milan Court of Appeal has acquitted former Forza Italia MEP Lara Comi of corruption charges in the “Mensa dei Poveri” case, convicting her solely on EU funds fraud and reducing her sentence from four years and two months to one suspended year plus a €500 fine. The ruling involved 14 defendants, with several acquittals and sentence reductions, marking a significant development in the long-running investigation into misuse of public resources.
Court of Appeal Ruling
The Milan Court of Appeal delivered its verdict in the “Mensa dei Poveri” trial, overturning the corruption conviction against Lara Comi while upholding a conviction for fraud related to European Union funds. As reported in EUnews.it, the court ruled explicitly that the actions did not constitute corruption, limiting the charges to EU fraud, with the sentence slashed from four years and two months to one year.
Unione Sarda English detailed that the one-year term is suspended, accompanied by a €500 fine, and the court balanced mitigating circumstances of compensation against aggravating factors for Comi.
Lara Comi, a former Member of the European Parliament for Forza Italia, broke down in tears upon hearing the decision read in court. The appeal process addressed allegations stemming from irregularities in the allocation of funds intended for the poor, part of a broader probe into public resource management.
Background of the Case
The case originates from investigations into the “Mensa dei Poveri” initiative, focusing on alleged misuse of EU and public funds by politicians and associates in Lombardy. Initial first-instance proceedings in Milan resulted in Lara Comi’s conviction to four years and two months imprisonment on charges including corruption and multiple fraud counts.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) had previously been involved, issuing recommendations for over €780,000 in disciplinary and financial recoveries to the European Parliament, alongside judicial advice to Italian authorities.
Italian authorities, including the Guardia di Finanza, executed a precautionary seizure of assets exceeding €500,000 against Comi and five others in December 2020, as part of probes into serious fraud against the EU budget. These actions followed OLAF’s investigative contributions, highlighting concerns over former MEPs’ handling of parliamentary assistance funds and related expenditures.
Other Defendants’ Outcomes
The appeal court examined 14 defendants, delivering varied outcomes. It upheld the acquittal of Pietro Tatarella, former Forza Italia deputy coordinator for Lombardy and ex-Milan city councillor.
Diego Sozzani, a former Forza Italia MP, received an acquittal after an initial sentence of one year and one month. Businessman Daniele D’Alfonso saw his term reduced from six and a half years to five years and two months. Giuseppe Zingale, former director general of Afol Metropolitana, had his sentence lowered from two years to one year and six months.
These adjustments reflect the court’s reassessment of evidence across the board, with acquittals on corruption for key figures.
Broader Implications
The verdict underscores distinctions between corruption and technical fraud in handling EU funds, as emphasised in coverage by EUnews.it. Unione Sarda noted the emotional impact on Comi, who appeared visibly moved post-ruling.
Reactions and Statements
No direct quotes from Lara Comi appear in immediate post-verdict reports, though her emotional response was widely observed. Coverage from Unione Sarda English, published on 14 January 2026, captured the courtroom scene without attributing specific statements to named journalists beyond the outlet’s byline (Unioneonline).
EUnews.it’s report, dated 15 January 2026, focused on the legal technicalities without additional commentary from parties involved. Earlier context from OLAF announcements in 2020 highlighted the investigative basis but predates the appeal.
Historical Context
Lara Comi served as an MEP for Forza Italia, engaging in EU legislative work including arms directives prior to the scandals. References in other media, such as Manuel Delia’s 2023 piece, noted her initial four-year-plus sentence for corruption before the appeal.
The case aligns with ongoing EU efforts against fund misuse, as seen in OLAF’s role and asset seizures. Italian judicial proceedings have progressed through multiple stages, culminating in this appeal reduction.
Legal Proceedings Timeline
Investigations began prior to 2020, leading to asset seizures on 17 December 2020 by Milan Tribunal order. First-instance conviction came before the appeal, with the exact date not specified in sources but resulting in the four-year-two-month term.
The Court of Appeal’s decision emerged in mid-January 2026, as reported on 14-15 January. Suspended sentence implies no immediate incarceration, subject to further legal options.
