From the municipal councilor of Taranto, Michele Patano, we receive and publish:
“In the last few days I have been the subject of a vile smear campaign on social networks and by some press outlets in which I was linked to an episode that allegedly occurred during a Productive Activities commission of the municipal administration in which I participated, like other municipal councilors, remotely.
I have the clean conscience and if I intervene on the issue it is only to defend my honor and my reputation and those of my loved ones, as well as out of respect for the hundreds of citizens who voted for me by electing me as municipal councilor on the Taranto Mediterranea list.
Before responding publicly to defamatory accusations However, I wanted to discuss with the president of the Productive Activities Commission who managed the discussion relating to port problems, who deemed it appropriate to record at the opening of the session on 05/14/2024 that nothing published by social media and the press corresponds to the truth , as during the aforementioned session no anomaly occurred nor were any voices attributable to obscene acts heard.
The investigations into these events are now in the hands of the competent authorities who will verify the existence of any legally relevant elements, including a violation of the legislation on defamation in the press that protects the integrity and reputation of people.
Beyond these aspects, I am sorry to note that my behavior is based on kindness, helpfulness and sincerity towards others, has unfortunately given rise to misunderstandings in the political context in which I find myself operating.
My presence on social networks, in particular, is generally limited to communications related to my own civic commitmentpublic service announcements and, occasionally, playful content that reflects my playful nature.
In recent years this approach to life, aimed at spreading positivity and support, has exposed me to undeserved criticism and attacks by individuals without scruples and moral and political ethics.
I have experienced moments of deep frustration due to actions such as arson, theft and sabotage attempts towards my place of work during electoral periods, actions which demonstrated, where necessary, that for some I am an “inconvenient” figure.
I would like to conclude by addressing those who, moved by cynicism and hypocrisyaim to undermine my integrity for political reasons: your attempt to discredit me will not succeed.
Unfortunately, the only result that these gratuitous attacks on my person will have is to further damage the trust that voters have in politics.
Finally, I am convinced that the false news recently spread – the infamous ones fake news – only serve to divert attention from much more serious and noteworthy issues.
Michele Patano
Municipal councilor Taranto Mediterranea”
