Torre Annunziata Investigation, the Mayor: 'I'm Moving Forward with My Head High'. After the Judicial Storm, Ascione Rules Out Resignation for Now
“Given the experience we are living, I feel I have to believe that anyone who takes the field can, for the most unforeseeable reasons, suddenly be put in the eye of the storm. I am not in favor of that.”
The mayor of Torre Annunziata, Vincenzo Ascione, is frowning when he shows up at the town hall to explain the reasons that are pushing him for the moment to continue carrying out the mandate given to him by the citizens in 2017 despite the judicial investigation that has overwhelmed the institution and that sees twelve people under investigation, including administrators and former administrators, entrepreneurs and alleged fixers accused to varying degrees of mafia association, corruption and influence peddling.
Ascione is among the recipients of the notices of investigation that led to the resignation of the councilor Luisa Refuto and the municipal councilor Maria Oriunto (sister-in-law of Salvatore Onda, considered by the investigators “an element of connection and link between public administrators of the Municipality of Torre Annunziata, regional councillors and entrepreneurs who manage the various services granted by the Municipality directly or through participating companies”, as well as nephew of Umberto Onda, the latter detained under the 41 bis regime and considered a leading member of the Gionta clan).
The mayor reads a series of notes on some sheets of paper, taking care to pronounce the words clearly: "I do not accept bowing my head - he underlines again - to suffer a disgrace of this kind and therefore as a signal that I intend to give to the community, to politics and to those who supported me and us, I affirm that I do not intend, at least for the moment, to resign. I am here, with my head held high, with my honesty and with my love for this city".
Ascione speaks at length, addressing the hot topics of the DDA investigation that last week led the police to search the municipal offices, homes and private premises of the subjects reached by the notice of investigation. Also dwelling on Onda himself: “Nowhere in the decree does it emerge what his possible role is within criminal organizations. As far as I know, Onda is completely unrelated to criminal circles. I believe that he has based his existence on a firm detachment from any connection with a part of his family. An uncomfortable relationship like Onda's cannot be a reason for discrimination or marginalization from social and political life”. Ascione also takes up the defense of other current and former members of his majority.
"The only event that really shook the entire community – highlights the mayor – rconcerns the position of the engineer Nunzio Ariano (former head of the municipal Technical office, arrested red-handed while he was recovering money believed to be the proceeds of a bribe), who is however facing his legal path”
Article published on 15 February 2022 - 17:49
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