Off the wire
• Stock rally shows confidence in economy: regulator  • Global diamond jewellery sales hit new record high in 2014: report  • Roundup: As deadline approaches, what are Iran nuclear negotiators discussing?  • Australia evacuates volunteers in cyclone-hit Vanuatu  • Britons welcome solar eclipse despite cloudy weather  • Xinhua Insight: Corruption suspect recounts life on the run  • Spanish couple escapes Tunisia attack by hiding in cupboard for 23 hours  • U.S. First Lady ends three-day visit to Japan, highlighting girls' education  • Myanmar parliament adopts proposal to raise state employees' salaries  • China approves third private bank  
You are here: 　 Home

Italian infrastructure minister quits over corruption links allegations

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Italian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi resigned on Friday following a corruption scandal in which he was allegedly involved though not investigated.

"I quit with my head held high. I am not here to defend myself against accusations or ask defense of my rights because I have not received any notice of investigation," Lupi said, reporting to the Lower House of Parliament on a graft case regarding public contracts.

"I feel it my duty to respond to the political responsibility of my commitment," Lupi, a member of the New Center Right (NCD) party of which the head is Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, said.

Lupi had been under pressure over allegations of his involvement in the case, which earlier this week led to the arrest of four people, including a former top official at the infrastructure ministry. More than 50 people were put under investigation.

Prosecutors said contracts for Expo Milano 2015, the upcoming world exposition in Milan, and the TAV high-speed link between Lyon and Turin, as well as various highways and railways segments in Italy were targeted by the illegal system.

It emerged from wiretap evidence published by local media that an influential businessman among the arrested procured a job for Lupi's son Luca, who also allegedly received a Rolex watch worth more than 10,000 euros (10,687 U.S. dollars) as a present.

Lupi on Friday denied any wrongdoing, saying that he never asked favors for his son. He explained he was bound to the arrested businessman by a long-term family friendship and he behaved as any father would have done.

Regarding the Rolex watch, Lupi said he would have never accepted it. "But I did not ask Luca to return the present and if this was my mistake I acknowledge it," he said.

In a television interview recorded on Thursday, Lupi said his resignation was the "best decision" for the government of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi but also stressed he does not intend to abandon politics. Endit