Rome’s “Mafia Capitale” Trials Begin

Forty-six defendants, including politicians, businessmen, and city officials, went on trial in Rome on Thursday, Nov. 5 for allegedly pocketing public funds intended for refugee centers, trash collection, and other city public services. Salvatore Buzzi, a convicted murderer, and Massimo Carminati have been accused of organizing this crime ring, which prosecutors have called “Mafia Capitale” for its resemblance to previous mafia rings, though both Buzzi and Carminati have firmly denied any mafia ties. Carminati, a Neo-Fascist known as the “black soul” of Rome, is linked to the Magliana Crew, a criminal gang that gained control of Rome in the 1970s and ‘80s. Carminati and 36 others were arrested in April 2014 after police used wiretaps to record conversations that implicated them in the misappropriation of public funds. Many of the defendants, including Carminati, will appear before the court on video links from prison due to security concerns. Hearings will take place four times a week and are expected to conclude in July 2016.

The aftermath of the “Mafia Capitale” case will likely reflect the relative effectiveness of Rome’s anti-corruption programs. Raffaele Cantone, who heads Italy’s National Anti-Corruption Authority, proclaimed that while “Milan has become the country’s moral capital, Rome doesn’t have the necessary antibodies” to counter political fraud. With this crackdown on corruption, Rome has the opportunity to simultaneously salvage the credibility of its government and repair its refugee centers and other public services.