The Napoli Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced a an investigation into the Teatro San Carlo.

According to La Repubblica, 12 individuals are under investigation including former Superintendent Stephane Lissner, former Director General Emmanuela Spedaliere. According to reports, the alleged offenses include fraud, embezzlement, and forgery.

Meanwhile, several international artists, such as tenor Jonas Kauffman, directors Krzysztof Warlikowski and Claus Guth, and sopranos Asmik Grigorian and Sondra Radvanovsky were named in the investigation. According investigators, there were payments of 200,000 euros made to the artists for masterclasses and seminars that never took place.

The Napoli Prosecutor’s Office has already entered 12 names into the register of suspects which include former Superintendent Lissner and former Director General Spedaliere.

The investigation also concerns the Officine San Carlo in Vigliena, a branch of the San Carlo, where Michele Mangini Sorrentino is artistic director. The investigation centers on a transfer of €350,000 from Spedaliere to Mangini, and the alleged improper use of the Officine for certain performances.

Jonas Kaufmann has denied any wrongdoing and said in a statement, “I have been aware of certain rumours concerning an investigation at the Teatro San Carlo for some time. In my believe, it is only correct that the allocation of any public funds is carefully scrutinised. In this case, I am rather surprised to see my name associated with an investigation. All I can say is that I have met my contractual obligations in full.”