Prosecutors move to try Puglia governor
Vendola accused of abuse of office
24 July, 18:06
(ANSA) - Bari, July 24 - Bari prosecutors called for Italian
left-wing politician and Puglia Governor Nichi Vendola to come
to trial in an abuse-of-office probe.
An investigation into alleged irregularities in the
transfer of 45 million euros in regional funding to a local
hospital was opened in March.
The allegations were tied to suspicions regarding the
appointment of a local chief of surgeons, Paolo Sardelli, at
Bari's San Paolo hospital in 2010.Vendola has denied any wrongdoing. He has said that the "resentment-fed" accusations were based on testimony against him from Lea Cosentino, the former head of Bari's health board whom Vendola fired in 2010 after she was placed under house arrest during a graft investigation.
Cosentino was also called to trial on Tuesday. A preliminary-hearings judge will decide whether Vendola should stand trial on September 27.
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