PD keeps confidence in justice min after parliament grilling

(see related) (ANSA) – Rome, November 5 – The center-left Democratic Party (PD) said it retained its confidence in Justice Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri amid her grilling in both houses of parliament over allegations she meddled in a high-profile fraud case with family ties. “We have heard the minister, and looking at the facts we have confirmed our confidence in her. She committed no deeds that were outside her responsibilities,” said PD Secretary Guglielmo Epifani. Cancellieri’s critics have called for her to step down over allegations that she helped free from jail and move to house arrest Giulia Ligresti, a member of a major Italian business dynasty suspected of cooking the books at the Fonsai insurance group. Cancellieri’s son, Piergiorgio Peluso, is a former manager at the insurance group who received a whopping severance payoff after a short spell there. The minister admits to calling justice officials but only to warn them that Ligresti suffered from depression and anorexia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED