The mayor of Parma Federico Pizzarotti, of the Movimento 5 Stelle, is being investigated for abuse of office. The investigation, which also involves Culture Councilor Laura Ferraris, concerns two appointments: that of Anna Maria Meo as general director of the Teatro Regio and that of Barbara Minghetti as consultant for development and special projects. Giuseppe Albenzio, Silvio Grimaldeschi and Marco Alberto Valenti, members of the board of directors of the Fondazione Teatro Regio at the time of the suspicious appointment, which dates back to January 2015, have also been entered in the register of suspects for the same crime.
“I'm calm because it's a duty that I fully respect – Pizzarotti said through his spokesperson -. It had already emerged that there were ongoing investigations due to the complaints of Senator Pd Pagliari. It will be useful to clarify the matter, with the Prosecutor's usual collaborative attitude. My commitment continues without hesitation”.
The alleged crime concerns alleged interference in the "exploratory reconnaissance" procedure opened with a public notice for the choice of a new general manager after the resignations, in July 2014, of the administrator Carlo Fontana and of the artistic director Paolo Arcà.
The directorate of the Movimento expressed itself through a message published by Roberto Fico on Facebook: “The mayor of Parma is being investigated for having appointed the director of the Teatro Regio, which is within his prerogatives. The judiciary is verifying whether he followed the procedure correctly. As always, if conduct contrary to the law and the principles of the 5-star movement should emerge, we will ask for a step back. As in all other cases”.
