Messina Bridge: Miele resigns as chair of the CSM Audit Committee

Tommaso Miele, the former deputy president of the Court of Auditors, who is under investigation in connection with the inquiry into the Strait Bridge, has resigned from his post as president of the Board of Auditors of the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM). This is according to sources within the CSM itself. Miele had taken up the post for the four-year period 2025–2028 on a voluntary basis; from March 2026, however, the plenary session had approved a gross annual remuneration of €27,000.

Corruption, breach of official secrecy and attempts to influence the Court of Auditors’ ruling on the final design of the Messina Strait Bridge are the charges brought by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office against Tommaso Miele, former deputy president of the Court of Auditors, as well as to lawyer Giacomo Francesco Saccomanno and businessman Vincenzo Virgiglio as part of a new investigation into the infrastructure project. The investigation is being coordinated by the Roman magistrates and delegated to the Carabinieri’s ROS unit.

At the heart of the investigation into the Strait Bridge is the role of Tommaso Miele, who retired last February, accused of having provided confidential information on the stance of the audit magistrates and on the proceedings of the chambers of council called upon to rule on the project. In return, according to investigators, the former magistrate is alleged to have been promised future public appointments or positions in state-owned companies following his retirement. Conversations included in the case file mention top-level roles, including the possible presidency of the Competition Authority. Investigators also allege attempts to contact other magistrates deemed influential for the purposes of the proceedings. Following the Court of Auditors’ negative ruling on 29 October 2025, Miele is also alleged to have prepared a technical report on behalf of Stretto di Messina Spa, intended to strengthen the company’s defence.