Italy's Liguria regional leader resigns after corruption probe arrest

MILAN (Reuters) - The centre-right governor of Italy's northwestern region of Liguria resigned on Friday, months after being arrested as part of a corruption investigation, his resignation letter seen by Reuters showed.

Giovanni Toti, whose region includes the city of Genoa, was placed under house arrest on May 7. He has led Liguria for the past nine years at the helm of an alliance of the same parties that support Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Toti was arrested on charges of receiving over 70,000 euros ($75,971) from a businessman as part of an investigation related to the granting of port terminal contracts, building permits and a beach concession. He denies all the allegations against him.

The resignation letter was handwritten and addressed to the region's acting governor and the head of the regional council.

Toti has received backing from members of the ruling coalition who criticised magistrates in Genoa for his arrest, which has prevented him from carrying out his duties.

"In Liguria we are faced with yet another attempt to subvert the popular vote using investigations and arrests," the co-ruling League party said in a statement after the news of Toti's resignation became public.

"The League will not be intimidated and the citizens will know how to respond democratically by reconfirming the centre-right that has relaunched the region from all points of view," said the party, which is led by Matteo Salvini.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Paolo Emilio Signorini, who lost his job as head of Italian utility IREN as a result. The probe related to his previous role as head of the Ports of Genoa Authority.

($1 = 0.9214 euros)

(Reporting by Emilio Parodi; writing by Angelo Amante; Editing by Gareth Jones)