I think that normally that may be the approach (and I'm not singling out Italy for this, it probably applies to most countries).

On this occasion, however:

> In all previous cases involving other international groups, once a settlement was reached and payment made, prosecutors closed related criminal investigations, either through plea deals or by dropping the cases.

> This time, however, Milan prosecutors did not share the tax authority's approach and decided to press ahead with their probe, leading to a request that the suspects be sent to trial.

It usually works more like:

  - we want 1.4B, but it will take 10 years in courts
  - best I can do is 800M (or even lower)
  - ok, we'll take it

"Tariffs on Italy are threatened. Case is dropped."

Justice is independent in most EU countries.