Cremona, doctor-mayor of Rivolta d'Adda arrested for abuse of four patients: suspended from office.

Adda Revolt (CR) – Giovanni Sgroi, 70, a well-known surgeon in the Milan area and mayor of the municipality of Rivolta d'Adda, has been suspended from his position as mayor. The decision was made by the prefect of Cremona, Antonio Giannelli, following the man's arrest on charges of aggravated sexual assault to the detriment of four patients.

The measure was formalised on the afternoon of Friday 24 May, after the preliminary investigations judge Milano, Sara Onion, has ordered the precautionary measure of house arrest for Sgroi. According to the investigating judge, there is a concrete risk that the suspect could pollute the evidence, also in light of the "ease with which Dr. Sgroi contacts his patients after the events", and of the position of power he holds, which could lead him to try to persuade the alleged victims to withdraw the complaints.

The investigations and accusations

The investigation began in 2024 following a complaint from a patient. The investigation, conducted by the Carabinieri of the investigative unit of Milano, it then spread thanks to telephone interceptions, scientific analyses and the examination of the contents of smartphones and computers. Key elements were the messages found on whatsapp, containing explicit sexual advances and innuendos.

According to investigators, the doctor's devices allegedly contained at least six contacts of patients saved with nicknames such as “Beautiful blonde” or “Stunning brunette”, and conversations with unequivocal tones. The four women who filed the complaint reported similar episodes: during medical visits, the doctor asked inappropriate questions of a personal nature, followed by suggestive glances, sexual propositions and, in some cases, physical harassmentThe alleged abuses would not have been “complete” from a clinical point of view, but they still represent a serious violation of the dignity and safety of the patients.

Investigators do not rule out that the number of victims could be higher and investigations are continuing to verify further cases.

A prestigious professional past

Giovanni Sgroi is a prominent figure in the Lombard healthcare landscape. Originally from Messina, he has directed surgery departments in various hospitals in Lombardy for years. Between 2005 and 2010 he was head physician at the hospital in Alzano Lombardo, while from 2011 to 2019 he led the 2nd Surgery department and the Department of Surgical Sciences of theASST Bergamo West, in Treviglio. He also served at the San Paolo in Milano and held the position of President of the Lombard surgeons.

At the time of his arrest he held the role of Director of the multi-specialist area at the CMP (Multi-Specialist Medical Center) in Pozzuolo Martesana.

Political career and judicial development

Elected mayor of Rivolta d'Adda in 2021 with the center-right civic list Dynamic Revolt, Sgroi had interrupted a decade of center-left administration in the Cremonese municipality. In 2024 he had also unsuccessfully attempted to run for the European elections with the list Defend freedom di Cateno DeLuca.

The doctor said he was completely unrelated to the facts, and is now preparing to defend himself in the preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday May 27, in front of the investigating judge Cipolla.