Editing Roberto Formigoni

{{short description|Italian politician (born 1947)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = 
| name                = Roberto Formigoni
| image               = Roberto_Formigoni_datisenato_2013.jpg
| caption             = 
| order               = 8th [[President of Lombardy]]
| term_start          = 27 June 1995
| term_end            = 18 March 2013
| predecessor         = Paolo Arrigoni
| successor           = [[Roberto Maroni]]
| order1              = Member of the [[Senate of the Republic (Italy)|Senate of the Republic]]
| term_start1         = 15 March 2013
| term_end1           = 22 March 2018
| constituency1       = [[Lombardy]]
| order2              = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies of Italy|Chamber of Deputies]]
| term_start2         = 2 July 1987
| term_end2           = 27 June 1995
| constituency2       = [[Milan]]
| order3              = Member of the [[European Parliament]] for [[North-West Italy (European Parliament constituency)|North-West Italy]]
| term_start3         = 24 July 1984
| term_end3           = 6 May 1993
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1947|03|30|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Lecco]], [[Italy]]
| nationality         = Italian
| alma_mater          = [[Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore]]
| profession          = Politician, [[Communion and Liberation]] movement's former unofficial political spokesman<ref name="repubblica">{{cite web|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/plus/articoli/2016/08/26/news/senza-formigoni-e-lupi-la-rete-di-cl-e-piu-forte-di-prima-1.281273|title=Senza Formigoni e Lupi la rete di Cl è più forte di prima – l'Espresso|website=espresso.repubblica.it|date=29 August 2016 |access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="indygesto">{{cite web|url=http://www.indygesto.it/index.php/dossier/item/117-formigoni-e-cl|title=Formigoni e Cl: il declino di una lobby?|website=Indygesto|access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref>
| residence           = [[Milan]]
| party               = [[Us with Italy|Ncl]] (since 2017)
| otherparty          = [[Christian Democracy (Italy)|DC]] (1973–1994)<br />[[Italian People's Party (1994)|PPI]] (1994–1995)<br />[[United Christian Democrats|CDU]] (1995–1998)<br />CDL (1998–2001)<br />[[Forza Italia|FI]] (2001–2009)<br />[[The People of Freedom|PdL]] (2009–2013)<br />[[New Centre-Right|NCD]] (2013–2017)<br />[[Popular Alternative|AP]] (2017)
| height              = {{convert|1.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Formigoni: un anno a stecchetto Così ho perso 17 chili|url=https://www.ok-salute.it/news/consigli/formigoni-un-anno-a-stecchetto-cosi-ho-perso-17-chili/|language=it-IT |date=2014}}.</ref>
}}
'''Roberto Formigoni''' (born 30 March 1947) is an Italian politician.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-08 |title=Il ritorno di Formigoni: condannato a 6 anni, Fdi lo vorrebbe candidare alle prossime Europee |url=https://espresso.repubblica.it/politica/2023/05/08/news/roberto_formigoni_candidato-399289260/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=L'Espresso |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=Formigoni possibile candidato, l'endorsement del governatore Fontana: 'Ottimo politico, sarebbe un arricchimento per tutti' |url=https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2023/05/09/news/formigoni_candidato_fratelli_ditalia_fontana-399406402/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=La Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> He was the [[president of Lombardy]] from 1995 to 2013. He is the former unofficial political spokesperson of the [[Communion and Liberation]] movement. On 21 February 2019, the [[Supreme Court of Cassation (Italy)|Supreme Court of Cassation]], the highest court in Italy, found him guilty of corruption and sentenced him to a definitive jail term of 5 years and 10 months. As a result, he was detained in the prison of [[Bollate]], near Milan, for a few months in 2019 before getting house arrest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/02/22/formigoni-convicted-in-maugeri-case-goes-to-jail_883f83ef-2872-4282-b442-a92a191dcc2e.html |website=ANSA |access-date=22 February 2019|title=Formigoni convicted in Maugeri case, goes to jail. Gets 5 yrs 10 mts, defence wants house arrest|date=22 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2019/02/21/maugeri-cassazione-5-anni-e-10-mesi-a-formigoni_4a04aad6-d069-4d20-8a80-4b8499295e97.html |website=ANSA |access-date=22 February 2019|title=Formigoni è entrato in carcere a Bollate. I legali chiedono i domiciliari|date=21 February 2019 }}</ref> He was released in November 2023.

==Career==
Born in [[Lecco]] in the [[Lombardy]] region, Formigoni began his political career early in [[Christian Democracy (Italy)|Christian Democracy]] through youth movements, such as ''Gioventù Studentesca'' and [[Communion and Liberation]], of which he became the unofficial political spokesman. In 1976, he founded the [[Popular Movement (Italy)|Popular Movement]] and was elected a deputy in both the [[European Parliament]] (with over 450,000 votes) and [[Italian Parliament]]. He was also the vice-president of the European Parliament for five years and served as [[undersecretary of state]] for the [[Ministry of the Environment (Italy)|Ministry of the Environment]] in the Italian government.

In 1990, Formigoni garnered attention when he was involved in a mission to [[Iraq]] that successfully concluded with the freeing of some Italian technicians who were hostages of the local government. He later took part in the [[oil-for-food]] programme for Iraq, buying 1,000,000 oil barrels (160,000 cubic metres). The move sparked controversy and linked him to alleged bribe scandals. In 1995, he and [[Rocco Buttiglione]] founded the [[United Christian Democrats]] party. In 1998, he moved to [[Forza Italia]], when Buttiglione briefly decided to support the government of [[Massimo D'Alema]].

In 1995, Formigoni was elected [[president of Lombardy]]. Leftist groups opposed his centre-right platform. Formigoni was re-elected in 2000 carrying over 62% of the approximately 3.5&nbsp;million votes, and in 2005 with almost 54% of the approximately 2.8&nbsp;million votes. He was elected to a fourth term in March 2010 with 56% of the approximately 2.7&nbsp;million votes. His candidature had been contested by academics and left-wing politicians, as in disregard of Law no. 165/2004, which put a limit of two consecutive mandates to directly elected regional presidents. Formigoni was indirectly elected in 1995 but then directly elected in 2000 and 2005. He defended himself, stating that the law was not in vigour when he was first directly elected in 2000, so he should be allowed a fourth mandate. According to some scholars, his mandate could have been overturned by judges later on.<ref>Vittorio Angiolini, professore ordinario di Diritto costituzionale dell'Università di Milano; Margherita Raveraira, Università di Perugia [http://www.federalismi.it/ApplOpenFilePDF_Output.cfm?custom_header=01&dpath=document&dfile=07102009134323.pdf Il limite del doppio mandato alla immediata rielezione del Presidente della giunta regionale: una questione complessa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722033205/http://www.federalismi.it/ApplOpenFilePDF_Output.cfm?custom_header=01&dpath=document&dfile=07102009134323.pdf |date=22 July 2011 }}, Federalismi.it</ref><ref name="ainis">Michele Ainis, [http://www.lastampa.it/_web/cmstp/tmplRubriche/editoriali/gEditoriali.asp?ID_blog=25&ID_articolo=6899&ID_sezione=&sezione= La terza via di Errani e Formigoni], ''La Stampa'', 25 gennaio 2010</ref>

==Controversies==
Formigoni candidated the Italian [[showgirl]] Nicole Minetti and [[dental hygienist]] of the former Italian Prime Minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]], who asked for a political seat for her, and this was contested by Italian newspapers.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} On 16 October 2012, Formigoni announced the dissolution of the regional legislature after one of his commissioners, Domenico Zambetti of the [[People of Freedom]], was arrested on accusations he bought votes from the [['Ndrangheta]] in 2010 and extorted favours and public building contracts, including construction tenders for the [[World Expo]] 2015 in Milan.<ref name=mh>[http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/16/3052162/italy-corruption-probes-claim.html Italy corruption probes claim Lombardy legislature], Miami Herald, 16 October 2012</ref><ref name=ft141012>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc625766-160f-11e2-9a8c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2AUamRBZb Mafia probe claims political victim], Financial Times, 14 October 2012</ref>

==Italian court sentences against Formigoni==
=== 2000s: Bribery and environmental pollution===
In 2002, Formigoni was judged for bribery due the landfill in [[Cerro Maggiore]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/cronaca/paoloberlusconi/new/new.html|title=Formigoni rinviato a giudizio per la discarica di Cerro|periodical=La Repubblica|date=11 June 2002|access-date=16 December 2009}}</ref> In December 2009, Formigoni was tried illegal environmental pollution.<ref>Ansa – [http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/politica/2009/12/01/visualizza_new.html_1623002397.html Inquinamento in Lombardia]</ref><ref>[http://milano.corriere.it/milano/notizie/cronaca/09_dicembre_1/formigoni-avviso-garanzia-1602090470469.shtml Inquinamento, Formigoni indagato dai pm di Milano], Corriere della Sera, 1º dicembre 2009</ref><ref>[http://milano.corriere.it/milano/notizie/cronaca/10_gennaio_26/penati-indagato-inquinamento-formigoni-moratti-1602351462303.shtml Smog, indagato anche Penati], Corriere della Sera, 26 gennaio 2010</ref>

=== 2010s: Freemasonry, criminal association, and defamatory behavior against Italian judges===
Formigoni was interrogated by Italian Court in Rome due the [[Propaganda Due]] (P2) Freemasonry group.<ref>[http://www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/201007articoli/56729girata.asp La P3 agì su mandato di Formigoni] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717025611/http://www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/politica/201007articoli/56729girata.asp |date=17 July 2010 }}</ref><ref name="corriere">{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/10_luglio_14/inchiesta-eolico-p3-formigoni_9b1ed50e-8f6a-11df-9bdb-00144f02aabe.shtml|title="Il gruppo agì per conto di Formigoni "Cesare" pseudonimo del premier" – Corriere della Sera|website=corriere.it|access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="repubblica2">{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2010/07/14/news/p3_inchiesta_14_luglio-5590345/|title=Per il gruppo Berlusconi era &quot;Cesare&quot; Informativa tira in ballo Formigoni e Caliendo|website=Repubblica.it|date=14 July 2010 |access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref> In July 2012, he was sentenced to 1 year of imprisonment due defamation.<ref name="repubblica3">{{cite web|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2012/10/11/news/formigoni_condannato_ha_diffamato_i_radicali-44324761/?ref=HRER1-1|title=Formigoni condannato ha diffamato i Radicali – Milano|website=Repubblica.it|date=10 November 2012|access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref> In January 2014, he was convicted of defaming the Italian judge, Alfredo Robledo.<ref>{{cite news|language=it-IT|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/01/20/oil-for-food-formigoni-condannato-per-diffamazione-versi-40mila-euro-a-pm-robledo/851284/|title=Oil for food, "Formigoni diffamò pm Robledo, versi 40mila euro" – Il Fatto Quotidiano|periodical=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date=20 January 2014|access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref>

On 25 July 2012, Formigoni was convicted of bribery by Italian courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2012/07/25/news/la_procura_convoca_formigoni_i_pm_concorso_in_corruzione-39646426/ |title=Formigoni indagato per corruzione "Non temo nulla, resto al mio posto" |date=16 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Luigi Ferrarella e Giuseppe Guastella|url=http://milano.corriere.it/milano/notizie/cronaca/12_luglio_26/yacht-viaggi-e-una-villa-tangenti-per-7-milioni-in-cambio-di-15-delibere-luigi-ferrarella-2011175952169.shtml|title=Le accuse "Yacht, viaggi e una villa Tangenti per 7 milioni in cambio di 15 delibere"|periodical=Corriere della Sera|date=26 July 2012|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> On 12 February 2013, he was investigated due criminal group activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://it.reuters.com/article/topNews/idITMIE91B02L20130212 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213232647/http://it.reuters.com/article/topNews/idITMIE91B02L20130212 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2013 |title=Maugeri, chiusa inchiesta, Formigoni fra indagati associazione delinquere }}</ref> On 3 March 2014, Formigoni was convicted for criminal association activities and bribery.<ref>{{cite news|author=Sandro de Riccardis|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2014/03/03/news/caso_maugeri_formigoni_sar_processato_per_associazione_a_delinquere_e_corruzione-80116134/|title=Caso Maugeri, Formigoni sarà processato per associazione a delinquere e corruzione|periodical=La Repubblica|date=3 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref> On 15 April 2016, the prosecution asked to sentence Formigoni to 9 years of prison and described him as a "boss of criminal group" due his tactical bribery attitudes that lasted more than 10 years while he managed more than 70&nbsp;million [[euro]] public money.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/04/15/caso-maugeri-pm-chiedono-condanna-a-nove-anni-per-formigoni/2642236/ |title= Roberto Formigoni, chiesti nove anni per ex governatore nel processo Maugeri. Pm: "Corruzione sistemica" |date= 15 April 2016 |access-date=23 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/08/16/news/maugeri_corte_conti_sequestro_5_milioni_formigoni_vitalizi_e_pensione_convalida-204256191/?ref=RHPPLF-BH-I0-C8-P11-S1.8-T1 |title= Caso Maugeri, via libera al sequestro di pensione e vitalizi di Formigoni: 5 milioni di euro |date= 16 August 2018 |access-date= 17 August 2018 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[1995 Lombard regional election]]
* [[2000 Lombard regional election]]
* [[2005 Lombard regional election]]
* [[2010 Lombard regional election]]
* [[Advocacy group]]
* [[Corruption in Italy]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Roberto Formigoni}}
* {{Official website|http://www.formigoni.it/}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Formigoni, Roberto}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Lecco]]
[[Category:Italian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Christian Democracy (Italy) politicians]]
[[Category:Italian People's Party (1994) politicians]]
[[Category:United Christian Democrats politicians]]
[[Category:Forza Italia politicians]]
[[Category:The People of Freedom politicians]]
[[Category:New Centre-Right politicians]]
[[Category:Popular Alternative politicians]]
[[Category:Deputies of Legislature X of Italy]]
[[Category:Deputies of Legislature XI of Italy]]
[[Category:Deputies of Legislature XII of Italy]]
[[Category:Senators of Legislature XV of Italy]]
[[Category:Senators of Legislature XVI of Italy]]
[[Category:Senators of Legislature XVII of Italy]]
[[Category:Presidents of Lombardy]]
[[Category:Members of the Italian Senate from Lombardy]]
[[Category:MEPs for Italy 1984–1989]]
[[Category:MEPs for Italy 1989–1994]]
[[Category:Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore alumni]]
[[Category:Communion and Liberation]]
[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]]
[[Category:Italian politicians convicted of crimes]]