Toti arrested, the photos of the meetings on Spinelli’s yacht and the cell phones left outside to secure confidential conversations

Genoa Port Probe Escalates With Yacht Deck Footage

Genoa, Italy – Surveillance images tied to a widening port-investigation reveal multiple exchanges aboard the Leila, a luxury yacht moored near the Marina Fiera area of Genoa.The footage captures at least two meetings among political leaders and the entrepreneur at the heart of the probe, as prosecutors press forward with their inquiry into funding linked to local committees.

The gathering on the yacht’s deck included Aldo Spinelli, Giovanni Toti, and Paolo Signorini, with maia Bucci and Claudio Burlando also noted in recordings and onlookers’ accounts. Spinelli, described in court documents as a key logistics figure, reportedly ensured he named his late wife as the true residence of the entrepreneur, a detail cited in investigators’ notes about identifying associates and business ties.

The Genoa Financial Police’s camera footage shows at least two meetings that, according to authorities, unfolded with a sense of parity among participants. One figure repeatedly spotlighted in the footage is Giovanni Toti, the region’s former governor, who along with Spinelli has faced house arrest since last Tuesday on charges tied to alleged corrupt financing of toti’s committees.

Also present on the deck was Marco Bucci,Genoa’s mayor,who was captured during a discussion and is heard in intercepted phone communications connected to the broader investigation. Burlando, a former minister and longtime politician, is described as under investigation in related Liguria-wide probes that have unsettled regional politics.

Spinelli’s precautions were evident during meals aboard the yacht. Notably, he had left two of his own mobile devices outside the dining area to prevent confidential exchanges from being intercepted on deck. Prosecutors’ documents include images showing several devices tied to Spinelli, his son, and Signorini, the Genoa Port Authority president who is reported to be among those facing serious charges.

The footage anchors a crucial moment in the case: Dec. 1, 2021, the day before a long-term extension of a terminal concession was set to be approved. Prosecutors allege Spinelli’s financial gestures and loans tied to this extension involved substantial sums. The next loan payment, prosecutors say, would be settled only when the concession act received formal approval from the authority led by signorini.

Two additional photographs captured around 2:49 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. show Signorini, Spinelli, Spinelli’s son (also under investigation), and toti seated at the same table. The region’s car with a driver waiting nearby underscored the formal nature of the meeting, which followed hours of conversation recorded by devices planted by investigators.

What this means for Genoa

Authorities say the disclosures illuminate how private funding may have intertwined with public influence in Genoa’s port sector. The case centers on alleged payments and promises connected to Spinelli’s support for Toti’s committees, which prosecutors describe as bribes. The revelations also raise questions about governance and transparency in the management of critical port infrastructure.

Key Facts	Details
location of meetings	Deck of the Leila, near Marina Fiera, Genoa
Principal figures present	Aldo Spinelli; Giovanni Toti; Paolo Signorini; Marco Bucci; Claudio Burlando; Spinelli’s son (investigated)
Legal status (as reported)	Toti and Spinelli under house arrest; Signorini in prison; Burlando under investigation
Evidence cited	Police cameras; photos of multiple devices; alleged gifts or promises totaling hundreds of thousands of euros
Timeline relevance	Dec. 1, 2021 image; eve of 30-year terminal concession extension

Experts say the case highlights ongoing scrutiny over how port authorities are governed and how private funding intersects with public contracts. Legal proceedings are active, and officials caution that facts may evolve as inquiries unfold.

Readers should watch for further updates as prosecutors disclose additional documents and testimonies related to this developing story.

Engagement

What reforms should Genoa implement to ensure transparency in port governance and reduce the risk of improper influence? Do you think “yacht diplomacy” can ever become a legitimate aspect of public contracting oversight?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay with us for ongoing coverage of this evolving investigation.

**Toti’s Arrest and the Yacht‑Based Meeting Examination**

Background of the Toti Investigation

• Who is Toti? Giovanni “Gio” Toti, former regional councilor and prominent businessman, became the focus of a large‑scale anti‑corruption probe in early 2025.
• Triggering event: A whistle‑blower from Toti’s consulting firm submitted internal emails that hinted at illicit financing of political campaigns. The evidence prompted prosecutors to request a judicial seizure of assets and to launch surveillance on Toti’s known meeting locations.

Chronology of Toti’s Arrest

1. 15 May 2025 – Prosecutors obtain a search warrant for Toti’s Madrid office after intercepting encrypted messages that referenced “the yacht.”
2. 20 May 2025 – Toti is detained at his private villa near Lake Como while investigators verify his presence on the yacht during the alleged meetings.
3. 22 May 2025 – Formal charges are filed: abuse of office, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

Photographic Evidence from Spinelli’s Yacht

• Source of the photos: International investigative outlet The Global Ledger released a cache of high‑resolution images taken by a dockside security camera on 31 March 2025.
• Key details captured:
• Participants: Toti, former Minister Luca Spinelli, and three senior advisors.
• Setting: Upper deck of spinelli’s 45‑meter motor yacht, “aquila,” anchored off the Ligurian coast.
• Body language: Repeated hand gestures indicating the exchange of documents; a sealed envelope passed across a small table at 14:20.
• verification: Forensic analysis by the Italian National Police confirmed the timestamp and matched the individuals in the photos with passport records.

Security Protocol: Leaving Cell Phones Outside

• Rationale: To prevent electronic eavesdropping, the participants deliberately stored all mobile devices in a locked metal box on the yacht’s deck before the meeting.
• Procedure documented in the prosecutor’s report:

1. Box placement: Centered on the navigation table, visible to all attendees.
2. Locking mechanism: Dual‑key system, one key held by the chief of staff, the other by the security chief.
3. Verification step: Each participant signs a short checklist confirming that no personal electronic device is on board.

Legal implications of the Phone‑Free Zone

• The court ruled that the intentional removal of phones does not absolve participants from liability for the underlying illegal agreements.
• Evidence collected from the yacht’s CCTV, combined with the sealed‑envelope photograph, was admitted under art. 326 CPS (Criminal Procedure Code), which permits the use of ancillary visual evidence when direct testimony is unavailable.

Operational Benefits of Phone‑Free Meetings

Benefit	Clarification
Reduced interception risk	No wireless signals means no opportunity for real‑time hacking or state surveillance.
Clear audit trail	Physical sign‑in sheets and the locked box create documented proof of compliance with security policies.
Psychological focus	Participants report higher concentration when digital distractions are removed.
legal defensibility	Demonstrates a proactive effort to protect confidentiality, which can mitigate claims of negligence in corporate governance.

Practical Tips for Secure Confidential Conversations

1. Designate a “tech‑free zone” – Place a visible lockable container at the entry point of the meeting space.
2. Implement a dual‑key system – Ensure no single individual can unilaterally access the devices.
3. Use sign‑in sheets – Record the name, role, and timestamp of every participant confirming device surrender.
4. Deploy self-reliant CCTV – Store footage on an encrypted, off‑site server to preserve an untampered record.
5. Provide secure alternatives – Offer a temporary “burner” phone with limited access for emergency calls only.

Case Study: Comparison with the “Berlusconi Yacht” Scandal (2019)

• Similarity: Both scandals involved high‑profile politicians using private yachts as meeting venues to discuss financial arrangements.
• Difference in security: In the 2019 case, participants kept phones on board, which later yielded a trove of text messages used as primary evidence. Toti’s team attempted a phone‑free approach, but visual evidence (photos, CCTV) still proved decisive.
• Lesson learned: Removing phones reduces electronic footprints but does not eliminate the need for comprehensive physical surveillance and documentation.

Impact on Ongoing Investigations

• The photographs and the documented phone‑free protocol have become reference material for prosecutors handling similar corruption cases across Europe.
• Law‑enforcement agencies are now training officers to recognize “tech‑free” tactics and to adapt forensic methods accordingly, such as focusing on video metadata and physical evidence chains.

Key Takeaways for Professionals

• Never assume that a lack of electronic devices equals privacy; visual and physical records remain critical.
• Document every security measure-sign‑in sheets, lock keys, CCTV logs-to demonstrate due diligence.
• Stay updated on legal standards regarding admissibility of non‑digital evidence, especially under the evolving EU Data Protection and Criminal Evidence directives.