In an urban planning investigation, Simone Uggetti takes a stand against the judiciary: "They want to influence policy."

Milan, July 20, 2025 – The Milan prosecutor's office is investigating Mayor Sala "for the crime of acting as an administrator " and, through the investigation that is shaking up the city council, is expressing a " desire to replace an urban planning policy with which he does not agree, but which he is thus able to direct."

Harsh words were released to Adnkronos by Simone Uggetti, former Democratic Party mayor of Lodi : "Given my personal history , I can step on the accelerator." A personal history that dates back to May 2016 , at the time of the government led by Matteo Renzi (then secretary of the Democratic Party), when Uggetti was arrested and taken to San Vittore on charges of bid-rigging for having manipulated a €5,000 tender for the management of summer swimming pools . Ten days in prison, almost a month under house arrest, a finished political career (he resigned in August) and a cloud over him that did not completely dissipate until June 2023 , when he was acquitted in the second appeal trial .

A judicial history that has made him, despite himself, a symbol of the risks faced by public administrators. Remaining a member of the Democratic Party, Uggetti recalls this at every opportunity and from within calls for his party to maintain a position of due process . He did so when Liguria governor Giovanni Toti was arrested last year, and he does so even more so now that a center-left mayor is under investigation (without requesting precautionary measures). The former mayor of Lodi does not hide his perplexity regarding the crimes alleged against Sala. "From what I've read in the chats that have appeared in the press , he actually had work-related conversations , natural and physiological relationships. It's normal for an important architect ( Stefano Boeri , also under investigation, ed. ) to speak with the mayor and for the mayor to speak with the councilor ( Giancarlo Tancredi , for whom the prosecutor's office has requested house arrest, ed. ) and perhaps with the president of the Landscape Commission ( Giuseppe Marinoni , for whom prison has been requested, ed. ). Has the investigation perhaps discovered that social relationships exist? Is it a sociological investigation ? In that case, there are excellent sociology faculties in Milan", comments Uggetti sarcastically , challenging "the alleged moralists: it would be very interesting to see their phones tapped for years...".

It's impossible for the former mayor of Lodi not to empathize with those who lead Palazzo Marino. "Not just for the judicial aspect, I also see myself in the political parties' reactions ," he told Adnkronos. At the time of his arrest, the Five Star Movement (M5S) attacked him harshly (Luigi Di Maio publicly apologized years later). "For the Five Star Movement, guarantorism is a disease," he observes, unsurprised by the recent criticism leveled at Sala by the Five Star Movement. He, however, dismisses as "incredible and crazy" the positions taken by some center-right figures, primarily the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa. Such criticism came from the highest office in the state , which—according to the former Democratic Party mayor—perhaps should have prompted the Democratic Party to "defend" Sala.

"Given my temperament, I would have been quicker , but better late than never." And in the end, despite "fears and hesitations," the position taken was "appropriate towards the mayor and the administration. That's the important thing." Of course," adds Uggetti, who never gives the Democratic Party any concessions, "in my ideal party there could be statements prior to the secretary's green light." On another point, the former mayor of Lodi disagrees with the Democratic Party's line : "I don't believe this is the time to start a reflection on urban planning policies. It's clear that house prices in Milan are a problem that needs to be addressed, but it has nothing to do with the investigation. Opening a debate now would risk dangerously confusing the plans." As for advice for Sala, Uggetti, however, doesn't feel like giving any. "He doesn't need it. He has courage and a mandate from the citizens, I'm sure he'll continue on his path, even with greater determination than before."