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, 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.
Rome prosecutors said in their search warrant that Siri had
used his public role for private interests.
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".
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".
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