Mayor embroiled in parking fines scandal

Protestors in central Rome

ROME- Outrage continues after Mayor Ignazio Marino posted a video defending himself from allegations that he used an expired parking permit in the capital.

 On Nov. 5 Andrea Augello -Republic senator- opened a case against Marino for a series of ZTL- Vehicle Restriction Area - unauthorised access fines, between June 24 and August 20, that he has never paid.

 According to Augello’s evidence, in that period Marino’s red car accessed the ZTL area eight times without permission. The tickets piled up on Marino’s behalf until they reached the amount of 640 euros and they haven’t yet been paid.

 After a moment of incertitude from Campidoglio, Marino firmly replied with a series of posts in which, at first, accused Augello of slandering, then swiftly changed tone claiming a hacker attack against the ZTL telematics system, which was the cause of this “administrative mistake”.

 Marino distanced himself from the event reassuring the public opinion that he was aware of the coming expiration of his ZTL pass, in the period between June and August, but he asked his assistants to renew it in advance. Although running out of time, they managed to give him a ‘white list’ temporary pass.

 However, Marino’s latest version of events, according to the video posted on his facebook profile, talks about a premeditated action against his person and the stealing of telematics material together with his ZTL temporary pass, thus causing the misunderstanding.

 Public opinions seemed not to appreciate Marino’s attempt to ‘calm the water’ as many of the staff statements and his quotes are incongruent.

 Andrea Augello continues on his blog the campaign against Marino accusing him of being a liar to voters and himself. Meanwhile protestors targeted Marino's car, bearing placards reading "free parking for Marino."

 Also from Francesco Storace – 2013 Vice President of Lazio Region Council- came accusations against Marino, telling him “to pay and to shut up.” Storace remembered how he faced the same accusations in 2005, but from former minister Veltroni. He came out absolved.

 It is not clear where this investigation will lead. There are many questions to be answered. According to a source in the main office of Campidoglio, Marino desperately tried to make up an excuse for what happened.

 In another twist, it seems it was not Marino driving the red car during the period of the eight tickets. There are discrepancies between the Mayor’s schedule and the actual time the car was seen within the ZTL. This opens the possibility of another person at the wheel, perhaps someone within his family.

The investigation continues.