Catania's Cosa Nostra: Major Anti-Mafia Operation Leads to High-Profile Arrests
Regional deputy, mayor, and local councilors among those detained in connection with organized crime and electoral corruption.
An extensive anti-mafia operation conducted by the Carabinieri's Special Operations Group (ROS) has led to the arrest of numerous individuals, including a regional deputy, a mayor, and members of municipal councils in the provinces of Catania and Siracusa.
The crackdown was part of a larger investigation into alleged organized crime activities linked to the Santapaola-Ercolano mafia family.
Law enforcement executed 19 precautionary measures, with accusations ranging from mafia association to extortion, drug trafficking, and electoral corruption.
The investigation, dubbed "Mercurio," revealed that individuals associated with organized crime had infiltrated local institutions, impacting electoral processes through illicit vote-swapping practices.
The arrestees include regional deputy Giuseppe Castiglione of the Movement for Autonomy (Mpa), Matteo Marchese, a city councilor from Misterbianco, and Nunzio Vitale, the mayor of Ramacca.
Local prosecutors allege that during the 2021 local elections in Misterbianco, Marchese accepted votes promised by the Santapaola-Ercolano family in exchange for facilitating their economic interests in public works.
Additional investigations have uncovered operations by the Ramacca mafia family, reportedly supporting the election of Vitale and another council member, Salvatore Fornaro, who later became the vice president of the municipal council.
Evidence suggests that the Ramacca family was capable of manipulating the outcomes of the local elections held on October 11, 2021, through an agreement with various candidates.
Prosecutors outlined that the arrangement involved mafia affiliates promising to secure votes for candidates in return for public works contracts being allocated to companies favored by the mafia association.
This included assurances regarding Fornaro's political career, as he was reportedly closely connected to individuals suspected of being members of the mafia, ensuring strategic positions within the local government.
As a result, Vitale was elected mayor, and Fornaro subsequently became a council member before being appointed vice president of the council.
Additionally, preventive seizure measures have been implemented on businesses and assets amounting to approximately €300,000.
The investigation continues as authorities aim to dismantle the intricate network of political crime and corruption tied to these arrests.
The crackdown was part of a larger investigation into alleged organized crime activities linked to the Santapaola-Ercolano mafia family.
Law enforcement executed 19 precautionary measures, with accusations ranging from mafia association to extortion, drug trafficking, and electoral corruption.
The investigation, dubbed "Mercurio," revealed that individuals associated with organized crime had infiltrated local institutions, impacting electoral processes through illicit vote-swapping practices.
The arrestees include regional deputy Giuseppe Castiglione of the Movement for Autonomy (Mpa), Matteo Marchese, a city councilor from Misterbianco, and Nunzio Vitale, the mayor of Ramacca.
Local prosecutors allege that during the 2021 local elections in Misterbianco, Marchese accepted votes promised by the Santapaola-Ercolano family in exchange for facilitating their economic interests in public works.
Additional investigations have uncovered operations by the Ramacca mafia family, reportedly supporting the election of Vitale and another council member, Salvatore Fornaro, who later became the vice president of the municipal council.
Evidence suggests that the Ramacca family was capable of manipulating the outcomes of the local elections held on October 11, 2021, through an agreement with various candidates.
Prosecutors outlined that the arrangement involved mafia affiliates promising to secure votes for candidates in return for public works contracts being allocated to companies favored by the mafia association.
This included assurances regarding Fornaro's political career, as he was reportedly closely connected to individuals suspected of being members of the mafia, ensuring strategic positions within the local government.
As a result, Vitale was elected mayor, and Fornaro subsequently became a council member before being appointed vice president of the council.
Additionally, preventive seizure measures have been implemented on businesses and assets amounting to approximately €300,000.
The investigation continues as authorities aim to dismantle the intricate network of political crime and corruption tied to these arrests.
Translation:
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