Palermo Businesswoman Accused of Illegal Activities in Confiscated Property
A Palermo businesswoman, once hailed as a “champion of legality,” is now facing serious allegations of illegal activities in a property seized by authorities. Valeria Grasso, the owner of a gym converted from a confiscated building, has been accused of not only occupying the property illegally for years but also failing to pay some employees for their work.
The shocking revelation came to light in a recent report on Striscia la Notizia, a satirical news program on Mediaset. The investigation, initiated by PalermoToday, uncovered a series of troubling incidents involving Grasso and her business operations. Following the seizure of her business two weeks ago, she now faces additional charges of occupying a public building without authorization.
Former employees of Grasso’s gym have come forward with allegations of non-payment and illegal working conditions. Some workers claim they were not paid for their services, while others say they were forced to work without proper documentation. The situation has led to a growing list of creditors demanding compensation from Grasso, including former MEP Sonia Alfano and her brother, who reportedly loaned her money to cover her debts.
In one particularly disturbing account, a victim of violence claimed to have been exploited by Grasso during a public event. The woman, who had suffered a violent attack, was offered a job at the gym by Grasso, only to face further hardships and non-payment for her work. Several other former employees have sought legal assistance to recover their unpaid wages from the confiscated property.
Further complicating the situation, concerns have been raised about the financial practices at the gym, which is managed by a company owned by Grasso. Members who paid their monthly fees were reportedly issued non-fiscal receipts without proper documentation, raising questions about the legitimacy of the transactions.
As the investigation into Valeria Grasso and her business dealings continues, authorities have imposed an eviction order on the property and demanded a hefty sum of 212 thousand euros in compensation for the illegal occupation. Grasso, once seen as a symbol of integrity and ethical business practices, now finds herself at the center of a scandal that has tarnished her reputation and raised serious questions about her commitment to legality and transparency.