Lucia Morselli, the former CEO of Acciaieria d'Italia (AdI), is under investigation in Taranto for alleged environmental and health-and-safety felonies regarding the ex-Ilva steelworks in the southern city, sources said on Thursday.
Morselli ceased to be in charge of the troubled plant after it was recently put into special administration and AdI declared insolvent as the multinational ArcelorMittal's term as their majority stakeholder ended acrimoniously.
Former plant director Alessandro Labile is also underinvestigation.
The probe was launched in 2022 after a complaint by environmental associations regarding benzene pollution and the alleged removal of apparatus to prevent workplace accidents.
The government intends to loan up to 150 million euros to the plant's special commissioners to guarantee operational continuity after it was placed under special administration.
The steelworks, which currently employs some 10,000 workers, have racked up over three billion euros in debts amid an inability to pay its bills and suppliers.
Previous owners the Riva family were convicted of causing higher than normal cancer rates in Taranto, especially among children.
The plant has since been subject to an environmental clean-up but unions say it is operating at a painfully low level of production.
According to the Italian media, Ukrainian group Metinvest is interested in Taranto, as are Italian company Arvedi and VulcanGreen Steel, a unit of Indian group Jindal Steel and Power.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA