Berlusconi suffers 3rd resignation as economy undersecretary quits in influence-peddling probe

Published November 17, 2014

ROME (AP) — Italy's economy undersecretary has quit after being implicated in an alleged influence-peddling investigation in the third such resignation to rock Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government in as many months.

The economy ministry says Nicola Cosentino submitted his resignation to Berlusconi Wednesday. The premier said he accepted it but was certain Cosentino was innocent.

Italy's center-left opposition had scheduled a no-confidence motion against Cosentino after he was placed under investigation for alleged involvement in what Italian news reports say was a secret association that sought to curry favor with judges to sway rulings in its favor.

Cosentino has denied the accusations. Recently, two Cabinet ministers quit amid other investigations or scandals.

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