ROME – Brothers of Italy lawyer-politician Augusta Montaruli resigned from her role as Undersecretary for University and Research after being sentenced to prison for one year and six months for embezzlement during her councillorship in Piedmont.

 “I have decided to resign from the government office to defend the institutions, certain of my innocence,” she wrote on Instagram. “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 their actions.”

 Montaruli’s trial is the last of five to be conducted and confirmed in the Reimbursement case. The case, which put other politicians on trial alongside Montaruli, investigated the “improper use of group funds” from 2010 to 2014 among the former regional councilors in Piedmont. 

 The sentence ends an 11-year judicial process. Montaruli’s conviction, confirmed by the Supreme Court, concerns 25,000 euros illegally spent with public money on a wide range of items, including Hermès designer clothes, Swarovski crystals, leather goods, and Swatches.

 The Supreme Court also confirms purchases of food-related expenses in “prestigious venues,” along with ice cream shops, fast food restaurants, and pubs.

 Montaruli claimed that many of the purchases were relevant to her work at the time, including a bill from a San Salvario restaurant. She told the prosecutors it was for a meeting with an association, but the restaurant’s owner confirmed that it was for an electoral event for her ex-husband Maurizio Marrone’s campaign.

 Even after her resignation, Montaruli has continued to profess her innocence and announced her desire to get an appeal from a higher court.

 “I am evaluating an appeal to the EU court of justice,” she said. “I believed, believe, and will continue to believe in the judiciary.”

 Montaruli’s decision to resign from Giorgia Meloni’s government was highly encouraged by members of opposing parties.

 “The definitive conviction of the Undersecretary for her spending sprees in Piedmont does not allow her to continue to play this institutional role. We consider her resignation a must,” wrote 5 Star Movement representatives.

 The Democratic Party spoke out as well. Stefano Bonaccini, the Democratic Party’s candidate for secretary, said, “There is a definitive condemnation. I believe that it is a duty to resign for those who hold public offices.”

jd