Iacolino investigation, Schifani suspends him from the Policlinico di Messina. Brothers of Italy goes further: "He must resign"

Il presidente della Regione Renato Schifani suspends Salvatore Iacolino from general director of the Policlinico di Messina, following the news of the investigation by the Prosecutor's Office of Palermo against the health manager. To adopt the measure, the governor called the council this afternoon at 5 PM. Iacolino - strongly desired by Schifani himself to lead the Department of Strategic Planning of the Health Department and only recently transferred to the hospital by the Strait - is accused of conspiracy to mafia association and corruption, with the aggravating circumstance of having facilitated Cosa Nostra.

At the end of the council meeting, a brief note announces that in addition to the suspension, «at the same time the revocation procedure of the appointment has been initiated».

But the main center-right party in the majority, Brothers of Italy, goes further: «It would be appropriate for Salvatore Iacolino to resign immediately, regardless of any possible suspension measure», they inform the Ansa agency.

On the suspension of Iacolino from the Policlinico di Messina, the rector of the University of the Strait also intervenes. «I believe it is necessary that the issue of his appointment as General Director of the A.O.U. Policlinico “Gaetano Martino” of Messina be addressed decisively, in the interest of the Company, its full functionality, and the community - states Giovanna Spatari - The importance of the position and the sensitivity of the context require, in fact, the utmost attention, to protect the Company, the institutions involved, and the people directly concerned. Moreover, the installation procedure does not yet appear to be completed. In light of the appointment under the jurisdiction of the Region, the contract related to the objectives of the General Director remains to be defined, a step that also requires the involvement of the Rector and which, at this time, has not yet been submitted to me. I acknowledge - she continues - the extraordinary meeting of the Regional Council today and I hope that the resulting decisions will ensure, in a timely manner, a clear framework and the full operability of the A.O.U., in the interest of the Company, the staff, and the users».

Il governor Schifani also announced that he has "signed an address document directed to the general managers of the regional departments and the heads of special offices, which provides for a strengthening of controls on the self-declarations submitted by the managers regarding any causes of impediment for the continuation of their functions. The offices will have to periodically verify their truthfulness." In the investigation, in addition to Iacolino, another general manager of the region, Giancarlo Teresi, who heads the Department of Infrastructure and Mobility, despite being on trial for corruption since 2020. Today, Teresi is again accused of corruption, this time aggravated by having favored Cosa Nostra, particularly the boss of Favara, Carmelo Vetro. 

No one in the Region had placed limits on Teresi's presence. In fact, he was encouraged to stay and extend his contract, despite being of retirement age. This was done by both the general director of the regional department of Infrastructure Salvatore Lizzio (the same position where Teresi worked), and Duilio Alongi, the technician with a long curriculum that Schifani put in charge of the task force on the Niscemi landslide and on post-cyclone Harry interventions.

This is a detail that emerges from a wiretap from today's investigation: "Hey, did you ask the question?" the general director Lizzio asked Teresi. "No, I have to ask it, before asking the question I wait for directives,” the suspect replied. "And why don’t you ask it?" Lizzio pressed him, supported by Alongi. "Ask it right away! Come tomorrow morning and ask it... you’ve been asking for a year, right? Why put a limit of one year… I would say to ask it until seventy years, if you want to leave, you can leave," Alongi said. "Okay... you say so! Okay, I’ll ask it, I’ll ask the question and I’ll always ask you Salvo, right?" Teresi inquired. "Of course, you ask me and I tell you; look, I need you for the service for area one,” Lizzio advised him. And Teresi accepted: "Perfect, okay, that’s fine."

Today, Schifani announced a document establishing that, "in the case of requests for retention in service beyond the ordinary age limits, the departments must evaluate not only any obstacles but also the moral conduct maintained in the exercise of public functions. This initiative is part of the action to strengthen transparency and control within the regional administration."