Ricci under investigation: no bribes, the crime? The candidate's approval in the Marche region.
The investigation into the presidential candidate
The notice of investigation was issued at the start of the regional election campaign. The methods used to award certain public works while he was mayor of Pesaro are under scrutiny. Prosecutors allege he didn't pocket a cent, but he did gain a benefit "in terms of increased popularity."
The election campaign for the Marche Regional Council began this week, and Pesaro prosecutors immediately decided to cripple the broad-based candidate, Matteo Ricci's MEP. With surprising timing, to say the least, the Marche prosecutor's office served a notice of investigation for corruption on the former mayor of Pesaro last Tuesday. Along with Ricci, 23 people are under investigation, including executives, municipal officials, and administrators.
The investigation, unimaginatively dubbed "foster care," has targeted the procedures for awarding certain public works during the Ricci administration. No bribes, prosecutors point out, but rather " personal image gain as a politician and administrator." In other words, the crime of "consensus." According to the prosecutor's office, headed by Marco Mescolini , there was a system in Pesaro linking the municipal administration to several associations, including Opera Maestra and Stella Polare, which over the years obtained direct contracts for various projects (from a mural for Liliana Segre to a "hut" for Valentino Rossi, to parties and other events) worth over €500,000. According to the prosecution, the procedures implemented for these projects circumvent legal requirements. Ricci himself, in a video, announced the notice of investigation he had received, declaring himself "calm" but "very bitter and angry " about the timing of the notification, as well as " completely uninvolved." The former mayor, who will be questioned on July 30, is accused of having held contracts for five years, from May 30, 2019, to June 24, 2024, to be precise.
In reconstructing the incident, the prosecutor's office describes Ricci as a hardened criminal, as, through " multiple actions implementing the same criminal plan ," he requested "sponsorships from the municipality of Pesaro for the organization of public events, which were then in reality granted directly to the Opera Maestra association." According to the prosecution's theory, Ricci then "directly" or in any case "had directors and officials in service commit acts contrary to their official duties, abusing his influence and position." Ricci, it must be said, did not pocket a cent, but " through the illegitimate creation of highly attractive public works and events," he obtained " a significant benefit in terms of increased popularity and consensus."
"We respect the work of the judiciary and hope that the matter will be clarified as soon as possible, in the hope of being able to continue the election campaign," declared AVS MP Nicola Fratoianni. "Matteo Ricci absolutely must continue: he has our support, and we believe he must continue his campaign to give the Marche region new impetus and strength after the failed Acquaroli era," said +Europa secretary Riccardo Magi . "We have spoken to Matteo Ricci, who has already declared himself completely innocent of the disputed facts. Naturally, we have faith in the work of the judiciary and hope that this matter will be clarified as soon as possible," stated Igor Taruffi, head of organization in the national secretariat of the Democratic Party. " We are confident that he will continue as a presidential candidate in the Marche region, and the Democratic Party is ready to campaign alongside him," Taruffi added.
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