The Cagliari Court of Appeal issued Francesca Barracciu - former Undersecretary for Culture in the Renzi government - a sentence of two years and nine months of imprisonment, but without a ban from public office. The accusation was that of aggravated embezzlement when she was a regional councilor of the Democratic Party in the investigation of funds destined for council groups. The Prosecutor had originally contested expenses of 77 thousand euros, partly justified for fuel.
The then dem political exponent will not go to prison and will be able to benefit from social work.
Last year the Supreme Court had found that part of the disputed expenses were now time-barred, annulling the previous appeal sentence that sentenced it to three years and three months and postponing the proceedings to another section of the second instance Court to redetermine the penalty taking into account the requirements.
Today, however, the Cagliari judges have revoked the accessory penalties: the ban from public office which would have deprived Francesca Barracciu of both the right to vote and to stand as a candidate. Incandiability which would remain however due to the Severino law which is triggered by sentences that become definitive beyond two years of imprisonment for various crimes, including embezzlement.
Partially satisfied the defense lawyer Franco Luigi Satta, who underlined how this sentence is in line with those inflicted on the other former directors with the same charges. The position of his client had been removed from the rest of the suspects in his group, receiving in first instance 4 years of imprisonment. In any case, the lawyer Satta does not rule out a further appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, believing that Barracciu's right of defense has been violated due to the removal. In his case, the sentence will now become final, while the others have received only the first instance judgment in recent months.
(Unioneonline / ss)