ROME-- Lawyers and Italian news reports say a judge has ordered a trial for 18 defendants in an investigation of alleged corruption regarding the awarding of construction contracts for the 2009 Group of Eight summit in the earthquake-struck town of L'Aquila.
Among those reportedly indicted by the judge in Perugia is Italy's former disaster czar, Guido Bertolaso, who was long a top aide to Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
David Brunelli, a lawyer for defendant Angelo Balducci, a former public works official, confirmed reports of the indictments. He told Sky TG24 TV that there was no evidence of corruption involving his client and constructors.
Berlusconi changed the G-8 venue from Rome to L'Aquila to show solidarity with quake victims.
Bertolaso has denied wrongdoing.
Perugia court offices were closed Saturday night.
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