ROME — Even before all the debris from Italy’s latest devastating earthquake is cleaned up, investigators fear that organized crime is poised to profit from contracts worth billions of dollars to rebuild schools, hospitals and homes.
The crime clans have many connections to cement companies, debris-removal outfits and other businesses, which could infiltrate the reconstruction process if authorities aren’t vigilant, warned Franco Roberti, head of the Naples office of investigative magistrates.
The central Apeninne Abruzzo region was rocked by the 6.3-magnitude quake April 6.
"Keep the vigilance high against mafias in construction sites,” the Catholic daily L’Avvenire headlined Sunday, worried that mobsters will enrich themselves from some of the more than $16 billion in reconstruction money some government estimates say will be needed.
Italy’s anti-Mafia prosecutor, Piero Grasso, has announced he will set up a task force of experienced organized crime prosecutors to help L’Aquila authorities run background checks on bidders.
by the associated press
The crime clans have many connections to cement companies, debris-removal outfits and other businesses, which could infiltrate the reconstruction process if authorities aren’t vigilant, warned Franco Roberti, head of the Naples office of investigative magistrates.
The central Apeninne Abruzzo region was rocked by the 6.3-magnitude quake April 6.
"Keep the vigilance high against mafias in construction sites,” the Catholic daily L’Avvenire headlined Sunday, worried that mobsters will enrich themselves from some of the more than $16 billion in reconstruction money some government estimates say will be needed.
Italy’s anti-Mafia prosecutor, Piero Grasso, has announced he will set up a task force of experienced organized crime prosecutors to help L’Aquila authorities run background checks on bidders.
by the associated press
