Campari chairman Luca Garavoglia has reportedly been asked by Italian prosecutors to stand trial over alleged tax evasion.

Reuters, citing sources, said prosecutors have also requested a trial for Giovanni Berto, the legal representative of Lagfin, Campari’s controlling shareholder, on an alleged fraudulent tax declaration charge.

Contacted by Just Drinks on the report, Campari said that it had no comment as the matter does not relate to the Aperol and Courvoisier maker or any of its subsidiaries.

Lagfin settled its tax dispute with Italy’s Revenue Agency in December by agreeing to pay €405m.

The holding group, which controls 80% of Campari’s voting rights, had €1.3bn worth of shares seized last year by the Italian authorities, which had accused the investor of tax evasion.

Under the agreement with the Italian Revenue Agency, Lagfin was to make an initial payment of €152m by the end of 2025. The outstanding amount was then to be paid in equal quarterly instalments between June 2027 and 20 September 2029. 

In a statement yesterday (8 October), Lagfin said it was not involved in the latest proceedings.

It said the case against the company had been dismissed on statute-of-limitations grounds in July and that it therefore “cannot suffer any financial loss or prejudice”.

While Lagfin's tax dispute was settled, criminal investigations and administrative tax disputes are treated separately under Italian law.

A judge must now convene a preliminary hearing to decide whether to commit the defendants to trial or dismiss the case.

Giuseppe Iannaccone, who is said to be representing the defendants alongside lawyer Nerio Diodà, told Reuters: “The trial will establish beyond any doubt that our clients are innocent.”

At 57, Garavoglia has led Campari’s board as chairman since 1994. He is also the drinks group’s largest shareholder through Lagfin.