After the sentence of the Cassation, the undersecretary Montaruli (FdI) resigns

After the conviction for the improper use of funds destined for the council groups of the Piedmont region, between 2010 and 2014, Augusta Montaruli takes a step back. “I have decided to resign from my government position to defend the institutions certain of my innocence”, said the now former university undersecretary: “If this did not happen I would be like those who would like to demolish the sense of the state, making it weak with a constant search for a justification for one’s actions”, reads a passage of the note with which the deputy of the Brothers of Italy announced the decision. “I have not caused any shortage to the public coffers”, Montaruli defends himself, who reserves the right “to evaluate the appeal to the European court of justice”.

Yesterday the Court of Cassation confirmed the sentence against Montaruli (and against the former president of the region Roberto Cota), in the context of the investigation linked to the “rimborsopoli” of the former Piedmontese regional councilors. The Court re-determined the sentence for the FdI exponent to one year and six months, one month less than what was inflicted by the Court of Appeal. She had been acquitted in the first instance.

“We can only respect the decision of Augusta Montaruli who, despite having no obligation in this regard – let alone by law – has decided to resign from the position of undersecretary of the University, which she held with honour, ability and constant commitment” , the group leaders of the Brothers of Italy Tommaso Foti and Lucio Malan commented in a joint note.

“There is a definitive condemnation, I think it is a duty to resign for those who hold public offices”, Stefano Bonaccini, candidate for the secretariat of the Democratic Party, said this morning. While the other oppositions, which have been calling for his resignation since yesterday, have defined Montaruli’s choice as a duty.