Luigi Brugnaro

Luigi Brugnaro, the former mayor of Venice, is currently facing two primary legal proceedings. First, he has been indicted for an alleged violation of electoral spending laws regarding his 2020 campaign. Prosecutors claim he exceeded the legal spending limit by approximately 300,000 to over 500,000 euros through the use of an unauthorized funding entity and failed to properly account for expenses. A trial is scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026. Second, Brugnaro is under investigation for corruption in an inquiry known as Operation Palude (The Swamp). Authorities are investigating whether he used his position to facilitate property deals—specifically the sale of the Pili area and Palazzo Papadopoli—to a Singaporean developer in exchange for favors and financial benefits, alleging he failed to resolve conflicts of interest. Brugnaro has maintained his innocence regarding all allegations.