Rome prosecutors seek to indict 44 in Cirio probe

Prosecutors investigating the collapse of Italian food company Cirio Finanziaria SpA have requested the indictments of 44 people on fraud-related bankruptcy charges, Italian news agencies reported Monday.

Among others, magistrates are seeking to indict former Cirio chief executive Sergio Cragnotti, Cragnotti's wife and three children, Capitalia SpA chairman Cesare Geronzi and Gianpiero Fiorani, the former chief executive of Banca Popolare Italiana, according to ANSA and Apcom agencies.

Prosecutors involved in the case could not immediately be reached for comment. Capitalia's lawyers said in a statement that the prosecutors' request was "groundless," and added that they planned to object to the charges during the preliminary hearing.

A judge must now decide whether to accept the request filed by the prosecutors and order the 44 people to stand trial.