Sicily court convicts 91 in fraud of EU pasture fund

ROME >> A court in Sicily on Tuesday convicted 91 defendants of roles in a organized crime scheme that bilked the European Union of some 5 million euros (dollars) in subsidies for grazing land on the Mediterranean island.

The reading of the verdicts and sentences took so long, the court in Patti began announcing its decision late Monday night and finished early the next day. The sentences ranged from two years to 30. Ten defendants were acquitted. Prosecutors alleged that dozens of reputed Mafia members and white-collar professionals had colluded to defraud the EU of subsidies for use of grazing land, including Nebrodi state parkland in the eastern end of Sicily.