(see related) The head of
Florence's museums, Cristina Acidini, said Monday her decision
to quit after a 38-year-long career as a culture ministry
official was taken earlier this month because of planned reforms
reorganizing the management of Italy's museums.
She insisted the resignation had "nothing to do" with two
investigations against her, rejecting the charges.
Acidini, 63, released a statement on Monday saying she had
resigned on September 5 from her position after eight years on
the job just as news emerged that the art historian is suspected
of abuse of office in choosing an insurance company for art
works on loan abroad in an ongoing criminal investigation in
Florence.
The decision, she said in the statement, was taken because
the planned reform does not provide "for a position that can be
compared to my current post, which the ministry gave me in
October 2006".
She also confirmed the two probes against her while her
attorney Nino D'Avirro rejected the charges in a separate
statement Wednesday.
Finance police last week reportedly searched Acidini's
office over allegations she did not publish a tender request to
select an insurance firm despite the fact that the value of the
artwork travelling abroad exceeded a European threshold making
it mandatory.
Acidini is reportedly under investigation with three other
officials.
She is also suspected of irregularities in setting rates
for musical concerts in the Boboli Gardens in an administrative
case before the Audit Court.
The Florence-born art historian and writer previously
served, among other posts, as superintendent of the city's
Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Italy's premier restoration
institute.
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