Mafia Capitale
The Mafia Capitale is the name given to an organized crime organization,[1][2] and subsequent investigation,[3] involving the government of the city of Rome, in which members stole money destined for city services and carried out other criminal activities such as racketeering, conspiracy, loan-sharking, extortion, fraud, money laundering, illegal works, and bribery in the public administration. It operated in the city of Rome.[4] However in 2020 the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation ruled out the mafia character of the criminal acts.[5]
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Massimo Carminati Salvatore Buzzi Pier Francesco Mazzini |
| Years active | 1999–2014 |
| Territory | Lazio |
| Activities | Money laundering, conspiracy, racket, usury, political corruption, corruption |
Background
A police investigation by Rome's chief prosecutor, Giuseppe Pignatone, revealed a network of corrupt relationships between some politicians and criminals in the Italian capital.[6][7][8][9][10]
The criminal actions took advantage of the recent influx of immigrants to Italy, gaining public contracts to manage migrant reception centres.[11] The criminal organization also used its connections to secure lucrative public contracts, before accepting payments for substandard or, sometimes, non-existent services. Among those investigated are former mayor Gianni Alemanno and the bosses Salvatore Buzzi, Pier Francesco Mazzini and Massimo Carminati, a former member of Nuclei Armati Rivoluzionari and Banda della Magliana,[8] as well as members of the 'Ndrangheta.[12]
A 1200-page arrest warrant was issued in December 2014, and was followed by dozens of arrests.[9][11] Among those investigated and arrested of the government of the city were the president of Rome's city council, the head of the city's public-housing division,[13] and the former president of Ostia.[14]
On 18 December 2015, Alemanno was indicted for corruption and illicit financing. According to the accusation, Alemanno received €125,000 from the cooperatives' boss Salvatore Buzzi.[15] On 7 February 2017, the allegation of an external cooperation in a mafia association was filed, including the allegations of corruption and illicit funding.[16]
On 20 July 2017, Carminati was sentenced to 20 years in jail, along with other various sentences of his associates.[17] On 11 September 2018, on appeal, Carminati was sentenced to 14 years and six months, with Buzzi sentenced to 18 years and four months.[18]
In popular culture
The events of the Mafia Capitale investigation are the basis for the 2015 film Suburra,[19] and the 2017 TV series Suburra: Blood on Rome.[20][21]
References
- ^ "Mafia capitale, il libro mastro del clan di Carminati e i "doppi" stipendi dei politici". Rainews.it. Rai - Radiotelevisione Italiana. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ "La Procura spiega il sistema-Roma: 'È la 'Mafia Capitale', romana e originale'". Rainews.it. Rai - Radiotelevisione Italiana. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ "LA SENTENZA DI PRIMO GRADO- Carminati e Buzzi condannati, ma cade l'accusa di mafia" (in Italian). ansa.it. 11 September 2018.
- ^ "La Procura spiega il sistema-Roma: "È la 'Mafia Capitale', romana e originale"". Rai - Radiotelevisione. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ "Mondo di mezzo, ecco perché per la Cassazione Buzzi e Carminati sono "criminali semplici": "A Roma funzionari assoggettati e collusione sistemica. Forme di corruzione sistematica ma non c'era mafia"". ilfattoquotidiano.it (in Italian). 12 June 2020.
- ^ Mackenzie, James (2014-12-04). "Rome mayor orders review of contracts amid graft scandal". Reuters. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ Mackenzie, James (2015-06-04). "Italy hit by new corruption scandal over migrant centres | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ a b Squires, Nick. "'Mafia capital': Rome hit by mobster scandal". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ a b Povoledo, Elisabetta (12 December 2014). "World - Print Headline: "Italy Gasps as Inquiry Reveals Mob's Long Reach". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ "Ecco la 'mafia Capitale': 37 arresti per appalti del Comune. Indagato anche Alemanno". la Repubblica. December 2, 2014.
- ^ a b "Italy arrests 44 in mafia migrant centre probe". Bbc.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ Squires, Nick. "Rome mafia scandal broadens to 'Ndrangheta in southern Italy". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ Barbie Latza Nadeau (6 December 2014). "The Mayor Who Took Down the Mafia That Ruined Rome". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ Autore Ospite (2015-06-04). . Interris.it. Archived from the original on 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ^ "Alemanno indicted in Rome Mafia case". ansa.it. 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Mafia Capitale, 113 archiviazioni. Alemanno: "Ora voglio le scuse"" (in Italian). adnkronos.com. 7 February 2017.
- ^ "Rome corruption gang leaders jailed". BBC News. 20 July 2017.
- ^ "Mondo di mezzo, sentenza d'appello: 18 anni a Buzzi, 14 anni a Carminati. C'è l'associazione mafiosa" (in Italian). rainews.it. 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Suburra: tra fiction e realtà, "Mafia Capitale" era già in un libro". Repubblica.it (in Italian). 14 December 2014.
- ^ "Placido: "Suburra senza censure su mafia capitale"". LaStampa.it (in Italian). 5 October 2017.
- ^ "L'anteprima di "Suburra", Netflix racconta al mondo la Roma di Mafia Capitale". LaStampa.it (in Italian). 3 September 2017.