Italian Prosecutors Seek Corruption Charges Against Former Eni CEO

By Eric Sylvers 

MILAN--Italian prosecutors asked a judge to indict the former chief executive of energy giant Eni SpA on corruption charges, alleging he was in involved in a kickback scheme that helped win the company contracts in Algeria.

Paolo Scaroni, 68 years old, who has been deputy chairman of Rothschild Group since finishing a nine-year stint at the helm of Eni last year, is accused of being involved in funneling money to Algerian officials who awarded the contracts. He was also accused of tax fraud.

Through a spokesman on Thursday Mr. Scaroni denied any wrongdoing.

In addition to Mr. Scaroni, seven others are named in the requested indictment, including top executives at Saipem--an oil-services company 43%-owned by Eni that won the contracts in Algeria--and two people alleged to have provided the link between Saipem and the Algerian officials. The prosecutors also asked for indictments of Eni and Saipem.

Eni and Saipem declined to comment. In the past, Eni has maintained that it has no control over Saipem, despite its large stake.

Write to Eric Sylvers at [e-mail]

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