The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an inquiry into corruption and the exposure of government secrets related to the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge. According to a statement from the Judicial Office, the magistrates have authorized the Carabinieri Special Operations Unit (ROS) to conduct searches involving three people: a former deputy president of the Court of Auditors (retired in February 2026), a lawyer who served on the board of directors of the company "Stretto di Messina Spa", and a businessman. The investigation focuses on suspected activity intended to influence the Court of Auditors' examination of the final project design. The investigated lawyer and businessman allegedly attempted to influence the supervisory body's decisions by pledging to support the magistrate in question for future jobs in public bodies after retirement. According to the prosecution's claims, the two also attempted to approach other accounting magistrates who were deemed beneficial to the group's interests and communicated confidential information, gained from the judge under investigation to third parties. The latter, for his part, allegedly gave continuous updates on the situation, including internal details regarding his colleagues' viewpoints and Council Chamber conversations. The magistrate is also accused of reviewing a negative decision issued by the Court of Auditors on October 29, 2025, and of agreeing to prepare a brief on behalf of the company "Stretto di Messina Spa" for delivery to a consultant. In exchange, he allegedly stated a desire in gaining future prominent posts, such as the presidency of the Antitrust Authority or subsidiaries. Electronic devices and documents were confiscated during searches in Rome, Reggio Calabria, and Frosinone, and are now being examined by authorities to determine their evidentiary relevance to the charges.