League Transport and Infrastructure
Undersecretary Armando Siri has been placed under investigation
in a Rome and Palermo corruption probe, Rome prosecutors said
Thursday.
According to prosecutors, Siri allegedly received money to
modify a norm to be inserted into the 2018 DEF economic
blueprint which would have favoured funding for firms operating
in the renewable energy sector.
The norm was never approved.
Siri is alleged to have tried to favour a wind farm
entrepreneur linked to Cosa Nostra and accused of helping the
Sicilian mafia's number one fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro, Vito
Nicastri, in exchange for a 30,000 bribe, prosecutors said.
The bribe was allegedly handed over by university professor
Paolo Arata, an expert on the League's energy policy, and by
Nicastri in Rome.
Arata was described as a "wheeler-dealer" operating between
the League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.
Rome prosecutors said in their search warrant that Siri had
used his public role for private interests.
Siri is the leading ideologue behind the League's 'flat tax'
proposals and among the protagonists of leader Matteo Salvini's
switch to a nationalist rather than regionalist stance.
For the government, he is following the dossier on the revamp
and relaunch of bankrupt former flag carrier Alitalia.
Siri said "I have no idea, I don't know what it's about. I
must first read and understand. I have read names I don't know.
I certainly am not involved with affairs that can have criminal
effects. I have always behaved respecting the laws. I am
tranquil".
Siri said "I deny all the charges, I ask to be questioned by
the prosecutors".
Siri reiterated: "I have done nothing wrong: I have no reason
to resign".
The leader of the League's government partner, 5-Star
Movement (M5S) chief Luigi Di Maio, called for Siri to quit "for
ethical and political reasons".
But League leader Salvini said "I have full confidence in
Siri.
"It is absurd. I know him, I esteem him, I have no doubt, and
in any case we're speaking of something that didn''t end up in
the DEF".
Salvini added that he had never demanded the resignation of
an M5S member when they were placed under investigation.
But Transport and Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli, a
prominent M5S member, said Siri would be stripped of his duties
pending clarification in the case.
He said that the Trapani anti-mafia investigative unit had
been working on the case.
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