Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino is
under investigation by prosecutors in the northern Italian city
for alleged falsehood in relation to the 2016 budget, sources
said Tuesday.
The allegation relates to an investigation regarding the site
of the former Westinghouse facility over a so-called 'phantom'
debt of five million euros with the Ream body that allegedly
disappeared from the 2016 balance sheet.
The probe was opened after a complaint by opposition caucus
heads in the city council - Alberto Morano (lista Morano) and
Stefano Lo Russo (Democratic Party, PD).
Appendino, a member of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement
(M5S) that prides itself on being untainted by graft and
scandal, said Tuesday that she was ready to cooperate with
investigators.
"I am absolutely serene and ready to cooperate with the
judiciary, certain that I have always pursued the interests of
the city and the people of Turin with rigour," she said.
"I wished to be questioned as soon as possible in order to
clarify all the aspects of a complex case".
Those sentiments were echoed by her lawyer.
"We are convinced that everything is in order," said lawyer
Luigi Chiappero.
"The rules on the drafting of balance sheets were respected.
"We are confident that we can prove this soon".
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