By Eric Sylvers
MILAN--Italian prosecutors asked a judge to indict the former
chief executive of energy giant Eni SpA on corruption charges,
alleging he was in involved in a kickback scheme that helped win
the company contracts in Algeria.
Paolo Scaroni, 68 years old, who has been deputy chairman of
Rothschild Group since finishing a nine-year stint at the helm of
Eni last year, is accused of being involved in funneling money to
Algerian officials who awarded the contracts. He was also accused
of tax fraud.
Through a spokesman on Thursday Mr. Scaroni denied any
wrongdoing.
In addition to Mr. Scaroni, seven others are named in the
requested indictment, including top executives at Saipem--an
oil-services company 43%-owned by Eni that won the contracts in
Algeria--and two people alleged to have provided the link between
Saipem and the Algerian officials. The prosecutors also asked for
indictments of Eni and Saipem.
Eni and Saipem declined to comment. In the past, Eni has
maintained that it has no control over Saipem, despite its large
stake.
Write to Eric Sylvers at eric.sylvers@wsj.com
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