Giovanni Toti, the Liguria governor
placed under house arrest in a sprawling graft case this week,
is to be questioned in two weeks' time, his lawyer said after
talking to prosecutors Thursday.
The face-to-face meeting with prosecutors, said Stefano Savi,
should be set for the week starting 27 May.
"Toti is waiting for the interrogation," he added .
"Of course, he would have done it sooner, but we are waiting".
Premier Giorgia Meloni has resisted calls to force Toti to quit
saying it is the least she can do for someone who has governed
Liguria so well.
The case regards alleged bribes in which cash for an election
campaign was exchanged for favours, including the extensions of
a port terminal concession.
Like Toti, logistics businessman Aldo Spinelli - the former
chairman of Genoa and Livorno soccer clubs - was put under house
arrest on Tuesday, while former Genoa Port Authority President
Paolo Signorini was jailed.
Toti said Tuesday his conscience was "totally clear".
Government officials have suggested the timing of the house
arrest is suspicious given that the offences date back a long
time and the request was made in December.
They have linked the timing to the June 8-9 European elections,
suggesting it is aimed at denting the centre right's chances.
Spinelli said Thursday he had given Toti contributions for a
science and flowers festival, while he also said he had told
Signorini "stop crying, I'll find you work".
photo: Toti with Spinelli
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