Quarto mayor resigns after Mafia involvement accusations

Capuozzo announced her resignation at a press conference on Thursday

 ROME -- Quarto mayor Rosa Capuozzo announced she would be resigning from the post in a press conference on Thursday, after a fortnight of enquiries following allegations of Mafia infiltration in her executive.

 She told the press conference, "I step down from the position of mayor. This is a political defeat and a victory for the Camorra. It is not a surrender but a gesture of responsibility for Quatro."

 Capuozzo was elected on a 5-Star Movement list but subsequently rejected by and removed from the party after refusing to step down after original allegations that her successful election had been due to Camorra votes. The case was an embarrassment for Beppe Grillo's M5S party, which from the start has prided itself on remaining detached from the corruption scandals seen in other Italian parties.

 Capuozzo said that she had told the M5S party that she had been receiving threats from fellow councillor Giovanni De Robbio, who was expelled from the party after accusations of Mafia links, but the M5S has denied this.

 "[Grillo] was aware of everything from the beginning," she said. "I have felt abandoned by the M5S, and so have all the citizens of Quarto. What we are confronted with in this region is not easy, and with the movement at our side it would have been easier. I am upset by the Movement's reaction. When there is a problem you don't run away, you face it."

 Capuozzo will leave after only seven months in office, and announcd that she would not stand again.

 In addition to the information provided by the mayor and that acquired by the Commissioner's office, further enquiries are still needed into the case.   ft

Mayor in tears as she announced her resignation