Brugnaro, who has maintained his innocence since the wide-ranging scandal involving public tenders and land sales broke in July, addressed the city council during a special meeting on Friday as hundreds of people gathered outside city hall calling for his resignation.

“I consider myself completely innocent and I will prove this in all appropriate venues,” Brugnaro said, according to a copy of his speech provided to AFP.

“I am not resigning,” said the 62-year-old mayor. “I will go all the way. I will fight to demonstrate my honesty and integrity.”

Two weeks ago, Venice prosecutors announced an open investigation into the mayor, his chief of staff and 16 other individuals – including Brugnaro’s transport chief, Renato Boraso, and local contractor Fabrizio Ormenese, both of whom were arrested.

Seven individuals, including city hall officials, were placed under house arrest.

According to media reports, prosecutors suspect Boraso of taking bribes from local developers and businessmen in exchange for favours.

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The investigation targeting Brugnaro – who has been mayor since 2015 and is currently in his second term – involves negotiations over arrangements to sell a stretch of lagoon area to a Singapore businessman for 150 million euros.

News reports citing prosecutors said the arrangement called for Brugnaro and two aides to modify the zoning criteria, allowing more development in the area.

Brugnaro, a right-leaning wealthy businessman, bought the land for 5 million euros ($5.5 million) at a public auction before becoming mayor, with its value later rising due to planned development projects.

News reports say investigators are looking into the blind trust created by Brugnaro to manage his assets, including the land, after he was elected.

Brugnaro is the head of the Umana holding company, which, according to his personal website, comprises 23 companies that had a turnover of over 700 million euros in 2019.