Attilio Fontana, the governor of Lombardy, Italy’s hardest-hit region in the coronavirus pandemic, said Saturday he is being investigated by prosecutors over a contract to obtain protective equipment from his brother-in-law’s company, Aria S.p.a.
In April, the region made a public order of over 75,000 medical gowns and 7,000 sanitizing kits, worth €513,000. The contract was reportedly awarded without public bidding. Fontana’s wife has a 10% stake in the company.
The company decided to donate 50,000 gowns. After that, Fontana ordered a bank transfer of €250,000 from his private account in Switzerland to his brother-in-law. The payment was blocked by one of the banks, which notified financial police.
In a Facebook post, the governor said that “there is nothing hidden and there is nothing to base false media scoops on”.
Fontana is a part of Matteo Salvini’s right-wing opposition League party, which often protests against corruption among public officials. Salvini accused Milan prosecutors of being politically motivated.