The alleged fraud occurred regarding an April 2020 500,000-euro regional government contract to supply some 75,000 surgical gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fraud was alleged in giving the contract, which was later turned into a donation, to a company owned by his brother-in-law, Andrea Dini.
Fontana had been cleared by a preliminary hearings judge in May 2022 on grounds there was no case to answer, along with Dini and another three people.
“I am very happy, I expected it, but it is always a great joy to see that the coherence of one’s behaviour has been acknowledged,” said Fontana.
Fontana was elected in 2018 with the right-wing League party of Matteo Salvini.
“I have never had any doubts about this matter, and I hope that many people realise that,” he added.
ANSA
