Modena, Amo scandal. Democratic Party leaders beheaded.

Modena, July 11, 2025 – The AMO scandal is decapitating the Modena Democratic Party. The regional secretary is considering the resignation of Democratic provincial secretary Stefano Reggianini, while the center-left mayor of Carpi has received the resignation of councilor Alessandro Di Loreto . Reggianini and Di Loreto were, until recently, sole director and director, respectively, of AMO, Modena's local public transport and mobility agency. This scandal erupted on June 20: an employee (who was later fired) embezzled approximately €400,000 from the agency's accounts. The money was allegedly used for purposes clearly external to the agency, which promotes sustainable mobility and the use of local public transport. The complaint was filed by the management of AMO, an agency managed by the municipalities and the province. Now, the Modena Democratic Party, a historical stronghold of the left, is in a state of crisis. It is not out of the question that the opposition, Fratelli d'Italia first and foremost, will question the stability of the Modena government.

It was clear from the very beginning that the case was a hot one. Even the regional audit section for Emilia-Romagna of the Court of Auditors, a few days ago, had rebuked the Municipality over its management of its subsidiaries. Regarding Amo in particular, the judges had noted that "both the Municipality and the Province have a duty to act in accordance with the principles of efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness." This instruction, just days after the news of the shortfall, already sounded like a resounding rebuke. And a firm rebuke had also come from the Region: the Undersecretary to the Presidency of Emilia-Romagna, Manuela Rontini, had thundered a few days ago, emphasizing that "now the Region will also consider withholding resources for future transfers to the Modena-based transport company." In short: clean up the mess or lose the funds.

Thus came a first showdown: in a statement, Reggianini decided to step down from his political office: "The political (and human) climate that has been created has deteriorated to such an extent that I no longer believe I can continue in the role of Provincial Secretary, lest I further implicate the political community that had almost unanimously placed its trust in me at the congress a few months ago. I strongly reiterate my lack of involvement in the facts, my honesty, and my integrity," Reggianini continued. "For reasons of expediency and responsibility, this morning I communicated my resignation to the President of the Modena Assembly and the Regional Secretary, to protect myself, my family, and my profession."

Meanwhile, the resignation of Councilor Di Loreto arrived on Carpi Mayor Riccardo Righi's desk yesterday afternoon. "I have complete peace of mind, both personally and professionally," he stated, "and I am confident that my actions will soon be clarified. However, I intend to submit my irrevocable resignation precisely in the best interests of the city and a political project that I continue to consider my own."