Politics

Rome mayor acquitted in appointment case

12 Nov, 2018

Virginia Raggi cleared of charge of lying over city hall appointment.

Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has been acquitted by a court of charges of making false public statements about a senior city appointment dating back to the beginning of her tenure in 2016.
Raggi, of the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), had been under investigation as part of a probe into the appointment as head of the capital’s tourism department of Renato Marra, the brother of her former right-hand aide and city personnel chief Raffaele Marra.
"Two years of dirt have been swept away," Raggi said after her acquittal on 10 November, adding: "We'll go forward with our heads held high for Rome, my beloved city, and all residents.” Had Raggi been convicted she would have been forced to resign as mayor, in line with the M5S code of ethics.
Raggi has always maintained a "clear conscience" in relation to the highly-paid appointment of Renato Marra – whose nomination was withdrawn subsequently – despite Italy's anti-corruption authority (ANAC) accusing her of being “aware of the obvious conflict of interests” in December 2016.
Raffaele Marra is on trial as part of a separate investigation into real-estate corruption.

Photo Il Messaggero