Sabatino Aracu

Although he was a qualified surveyor Sabatino Aracu was known as an entrepreneurial businessman before he was elected to the Italian parliament in 1996. He was a member of the Il Popolo della Libertà group and became deputy leader of the PDL in 2008. Aracu was briefly in charge of welfare and social security in the Silvio Berlusconi premiership.

In July 2008 Aracu was investigated in the Sanitopoli inquiry concerning corruption in the administrative activity of the Abruzzo Region. Aracu was found guilty in the first instance but the verdict was annulled on appeal.

Aracu was appointed President of the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports in 2005 and retained his position when it merged with the International Skateboarding Federation to form World Skate. He was also at the head of the Organizing Committee of the XVI Mediterranean Games, until he was replaced by Mario Pescante, after a decision by the Berlusconi government.