Ex-Rome mayor convicted in corruption case

ROME — Italian news reports say a former Rome mayor has been convicted of corruption and illegal financing and sentenced to six years in prison.

The ANSA news agency quoted Gianni Alemanno as saying Monday’s “verdict is wrong. We’ll surely appeal,” and adding, “I’m innocent.” The court also ordered him banned for life from holding public office.

Prosecutors had alleged that the far-right politician received nearly $345,000 in illegal financing through a foundation he ran.

Alemanno, who is free pending an outcome of appeals, was acquitted of mafia association. His was one of several cases spawned by a sprawling investigation alleging that local mobsters had created a Mafia-like clique to win lucrative public contracts and other advantages in exchange for kickbacks to City Hall officials and administrators.