Trial requested for professors in Sicily nepotism case

Cardiologist, academics accused of rigging hiring of daughter

(ANSA) - Palermo, May 26 - A Sicilian prosecutor has recommended the indictment of the head of Palermo university's cardiology school, Salvatore Novo, and the university's assistant head, Giacomo de Leo, on charges of rigging the appointment of Novo's daughter as a cardiology researcher.

Professor Novo and de Leo, who was formerly head of the university's medicine faculty, are under investigation on charges including fraud in connection with the alleged rigging of a public competition for the job given to Novo's daughter Giuseppina in 2005, judicial sources said.

Also requested for indictment in the case is Alberto Balbarini, a lecturer in cardiovascular diseases at Pisa University who was on the selection board for the appointment. The inquiry was opened by magistrates in Bari as part of a probe into rigged job competitions in faculties at several universities around Italy.