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March 18, 2021 The Court of Appeal of Genoa overturns the first instance and acquits all 19 defendants in the bis trial on "crazy expenses" in Liguria.
The charges - for the regional councilors (of all sides) of the 2010-2012 period - were, in various ways, embezzled and false for the reimbursements obtained.
In particular, the defendants were accused of having spent thousands of euros - or public money destined for the activities of groups - for private purposes or party activities, such as dinners, lunches, travels, gifts.
For the appellate judges "the fact does not exist".
Among the defendants, also Edoardo Rixi, former leader of the Lega regional council, former deputy minister of Infrastructure, now deputy and regional secretary of Salvini's party.
In the first instance, with a sentence of May 2019, he was sentenced to 3 years and 5 months of imprisonment.
The sentence in the first instance led him to resign as deputy minister of the first Conte government.
He has now been acquitted on appeal.
The trial concerned expenses not deemed appropriate to political activity in the years from 2010 to 2012, when he was the regional leader of the League.
The accusation was of embezzlement and false.
"An acquittal that confirms what I have argued from day one: my behavior has always stood out for loyalty and fairness. My goal remains to work tirelessly in the service of my region and my country", declared the former deputy minister and deputy of the League, commenting on the acquittal.
"Now I will continue to work in the interest of the country, as I have always done".
"Edoardo Rixi and Francesco Bruzzone acquitted on appeal. I am very happy for them and for the other defendants, subjected for too long to controversy and mud, and for this also forced to give up positions that they would have deserved for competence and honesty. Justice is done , but we expect an apology from professional executioners. Now full speed ahead, stronger than before ", is the comment of Lega leader Matteo Salvini.