A Rome court on Thursday found
Senator Denis Verdini, a former top aide of ex-premier Silvio
Berlusconi, guilty of corruption in contracts for the
construction of a military academy in Florence and gave him a
suspended two-year prison term.
The sentencing of Verdini immediately reignited controversy
over the backing his small Liberal Popular Alliance - Autonomies
(ALA) group has recently given to Premier Matteo Renzi's
government for key reforms.
A dissenting minority within Renzi's Democratic Party (PD)
on Thursday pointed to the risks that this "preferential axis"
posed, and the opposition anti-establishment 5-Star Movement
(M5S) said that "beginning today, Renzi is governing with the
support of a corruption convict".
Angelo Balducci, former head of Italy's Superior Council of
Public Works, Fabio De Santis, former public works commissioner
in Tuscany, businessman Francesco Maria De Vito Piscicelli and
real estate developer Riccardo Fusi had already received
definitive convictions in the case.
According to the prosecution, Verdini was found to have
facilitated Fusi in his affairs and orchestrated De Santis'
appointment as public works commissioner. The public prosecutor
pointed to wiretapped conversations as proof.
PD Minority Senator Federico Fornaro said a more prudent
approach to Verdini would have been appreciated by voters and
party members.
Meanwhile small left-wing party Italian Left (SI) said
Renzi should clarify whether he wants to carry on with Verdini's
backing.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
