ROME, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- A former councilor for the city of Rome was among eight people arrested during an operation against corruption here on Thursday.
Ignazio Cozzoli, an ex right-wing member of the city council, was charged with criminal conspiracy aimed at corruption and multiple aggravated frauds, Rome police headquarters said in a statement. The eight suspects were all put under house arrests, police added.
All of those targeted in the operation were allegedly part of a criminal group aimed at illegally syphoning public funds off a national agency called Invitalia, which promotes inward investments, and depends from the Economy Ministry. A lawyer from Rome was also among those arrested.
The suspects' homes and offices were searched in the operation, as well as Invitalia headquarters in Rome. Cozzoli had been elected as councilor within a civil list supporting Gianni Alemanno, former right-wing mayor governing the Italian capital from 2008 to 2013.
