The trial against ex Liguria governor Giovanni Toti will start on 5th November. He was recently released from house arrest.
Toti faces charges of corruption and illicit funding.
Preliminary investigations judge (GIP) Paola Faggioni ruled in favour of the prosecution’s request for a fast-track trial.
In addition to Toti, the other defendants in the trial will include port logistics entrepreneur Aldo Spinelli and Paolo Emilio Signorini, former chairman of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority.
Defence attorneys for Toti and Spinelli have said they intend to request an ordinary trial. Signorini’s lawyers have yet to decide, according to well-informed sources.
The case regards alleged bribes in which cash for an election campaign was exchanged for favours, including the extension of a port terminal concession.
Toti insists he is innocent
In a press conference on 2nd August, Toti claimed his innocence saying he is poorer now than when he became governor.
“I have not pocketed a single euro for myself or my family. In fact, I am proud to say that I am much poorer than I was nine years ago when I was the director and despite the fact that the emoluments due to a regional president are not low”.
Toti resigned as governor of Liguria before his trial, saying it was up to the people to decide.
“We decided that the most logical thing was to give the Ligurians a say, and we did not even get in the way of the immediate trial, which will complicate life for us and the magistrates. I continue to say that I understand what crimes I am accused of but I do not think I am guilty, so the best thing is to meet in a courtroom where in front of third-party judgments everyone will have their say”.
