Key Figure in Italian Scandal Found Dead in His Prison Cell

A major figure caught up in Italy’s corruption scandal was found dead in his prison cell with a plastic bag over his head Tuesday, the day a judge was to rule on his release.

The lawyer for Gabriele Cagliari, 67, former head of the state energy conglomerate ENI, called the death a suicide, saying that his client left four notes. An autopsy is planned for today.

Some opposition politicians raised the possibility of murder, saying the death might hamper the scandal investigation, which has shaken Italy’s political leadership.

Justice Minister Giovanni Conso told Parliament he has ordered a special investigation.

The death rekindled debate over the precautionary detention of suspects, the reason Cagliari had been in Milan’s San Vittore prison since March 9.

Magistrates have been accused of jailing suspects to pressure them into naming others. Courts are supposed to allow preventive detention only if there is a risk that a suspect may flee or tamper with evidence.

Italy’s leading anti-graft investigator, Antonio Di Pietro, called Cagliari’s death “a defeat” and said he should have been released from jail six weeks ago.

At least 2,000 politicians, business leaders and local officials have been arrested or investigated in the scandal since February, 1992. Most of the cases involve kickbacks to political parties and politicians to get government contracts.

Cagliari lawyer Vittorio D’Aiello said he believes Cagliari killed himself to avoid implicating friends and business associates. He said Cagliari also was depressed because he thought his latest release request would be turned down, as had five previous requests.

The executive was being held for investigation of alleged kickbacks of $2.5 million on an ENI contract for gas turbines.

Prison authorities said Cagliari left his cell at 9 a.m. Tuesday for a shower. He returned to his cell alone at 9:30 while his two cellmates went outside for exercise. Ten minutes later, Cagliari was found dead.

D’Aiello said that one of the suicide notes Cagliari left was to his wife, two were to D’Aiello and one absolved his cellmates.