Giovanni Toti resigned as Liguria’s governor on Friday. Toti has been under house arrest since May 7 due to a corruption investigation.
The investigation involves alleged bribes in exchange for election campaign funds and favours, including the extension of a port terminal concession.
The centre-right politician maintains his innocence, asserting he can prove his management of the northwestern Italian region was above board.
Last week, authorities issued a second house arrest warrant against Toti for a new allegation regarding election ads displayed on a large screen at Genoa’s Terrazza Colombo rooftop. Ads allegedly funded by undeclared money from the Esselunga supermarket chain.
Giacomo Giampedrone, a member of Toti’s outgoing executive, announced regional elections would be held within 90 days. Toti’s lawyer, Stefano Savi, said he will submit a new petition for Toti’s release from house arrest on Monday.
In a letter released via his lawyer, Toti says he resigned only after the regional assembly approved the balance sheet, saying, “I leave the region in order.” He expressed pride in his accomplishments and gratitude for his colleagues, confident they will continue the work.
The right-wing League party claimed the case was “yet another attempt to subvert the popular vote using investigations and arrests.” The party, led by Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, declared it would not be intimidated. The party believes citizens would democratically re-elect the centre-right coalition that had revitalised the region.
