Vendola cleared in Puglia hospital project probe

(ANSA) – Bari, December 4 – Officials in the southern city of Bari said Wednesday they have dismissed an investigation into seven people, including Puglia Governor Nichi Vendola, on allegations involving a 45-million-euro health project.

Investigators were probing the transfer of regional funding to the Francesco Miulli hospital in the town of Acquaviva delle Fonti near Bari.

Former regional councilors Senator Alberto Tedesco and Tommaso Fiore as well as Msgr. Mario Paciello and the Muilli hospital director Father Mimmo Laddaga were also named in the investigation.

In addition to serving as governor of the Puglia region, in the southeastern area of Italy, Vendola is head of the Left Ecology and Freedom Party (Sel).