A third justice has quit the Supreme
Council of Magistrates (CSM) amid a Perugia probe for rigging
appointments.
Antonio Lepre said he "did not take part in the scheming".
The case stems from a probe into the former head of
magistrates union ANM, Luca Palamara, who is accused of being
the ringleader of an influence-peddling group that allegedly
illicitly decided on prosecutor appointments including to the
CSM, the judiciary's self-governing body.
The titular head of the CSM, Italian President Sergio
Mattarella, was forced to issue a statement Wednesday saying he
had never intervened on appointments, as suggested by some of
those implicated.
Also Thursday, Democratic Party former cabinet secretary
Luvca Lotti said he had only voiced opinions over postings, and
had never "exerted pressure or committed crimes".
Again, on Thursday, Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede
initiated disciplinary action against five judges implicated in
the case.
Bonafede opened proceedings against the three CSM members who
had suspended themselves: Corrado Cartoni, Paolo Criscuoli and
Lepre; as well as two councillors who had resigned: Luigi Spina
and Gianluigi Morlini.
"The situation is clearly serious and the institutions must
be compact because of that," he said.
Mattarella on Thursday evening called for the elections of
two CSM members on October 6 and 7.
photo: Palamara
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
