Spieghiamo le mafie: "In Veneto sono 400 le aziende collegate alle mafie"

Summary

Professor Antonio Parbonetti discusses the subtle ways in which organized crime infiltrates legitimate businesses in northern Italy, particularly through mafia groups like the 'ndrangheta, camorra, and cosa nostra. These groups offer seemingly legal services to businesses, often with little violence, to exert control over the economy. Parbonetti emphasizes the importance of awareness and vigilance in detecting such infiltrations, explaining that when criminally connected businesses are removed, local economies thrive. The interview urges communities, entrepreneurs, and authorities to take proactive measures to combat this hidden threat and protect their territories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Organized crime groups like the 'Ndrangheta, Camorra, and Cosa Nostra infiltrate legitimate businesses in Italy, manipulating markets and creating distorted competition.
• 😀 Criminal organizations operate by offering services such as waste disposal and labor at unreasonably low prices, thus bypassing legal competition and taxes.
• 😀 These groups engage in money laundering and fraud, often providing legal businesses with an illicit edge by enabling them to avoid financial oversight.
• 😀 Regions like Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy are particularly affected, with many businesses unknowingly or knowingly connected to organized crime.
• 😀 When criminal organizations are removed from the economic equation, legitimate businesses thrive: they invest more, create jobs, pay better wages, and increase their overall profitability.
• 😀 The elimination of criminal-linked businesses results in higher tax revenues, which benefit the broader community by funding public services and infrastructure.
• 😀 Awareness is crucial for business owners, entrepreneurs, and public institutions to identify and avoid ties with criminal organizations, which often operate under the guise of legitimate operations.
• 😀 Public institutions, especially in non-traditional mafia regions, must be vigilant and proactive in preventing organized crime from gaining control over public contracts and resources.
• 😀 The presence of criminal enterprises erodes local economies by providing unfair advantages and undermining social stability. Removing them can have a positive ripple effect on the economy.
• 😀 The importance of **transparency** in public contracts and the implementation of strong **anti-corruption** measures are essential to protect society from the reach of organized crime.
• 😀 Combatting organized crime requires a collaborative effort between business owners, government authorities, and civil society to disrupt criminal networks and restore the integrity of local economies.

Q & A

How do criminal organizations infiltrate businesses in Northern Italy?

Criminal organizations in Northern Italy typically infiltrate businesses by establishing new companies or integrating into existing ones. They offer services like waste disposal, labor, or even tax evasion, often at competitive rates, which attract legitimate businesses looking for cost-saving options.

What is the primary goal of criminal organizations in relation to the economy?

The primary goals of criminal organizations are to increase their power and wealth. By engaging with the legitimate economy, they gain access to more resources and can form connections with influential individuals, which helps them grow their criminal enterprises.

What was the origin of Professor Parbonetti's research into organized crime and businesses?

Professor Parbonetti's research was inspired by the frequent news reports about mafia operations where businesses and assets were being confiscated. He noticed a lack of in-depth theoretical analysis on the role of businesses in organized crime and decided to investigate how criminal organizations are linked to companies in Northern Italy.

How did Parbonetti's team approach their research on mafia involvement in businesses?

The research involved analyzing court sentences related to mafia crimes, focusing on whether the convicted individuals were also involved in corporate governance, such as being shareholders or administrators in legitimate companies. This helped identify links between businesses and criminal organizations.

What role do 'legal' businesses play in the activities of criminal organizations?

Criminal organizations use 'legal' businesses to launder illicit funds, establish a network of connections, and gain access to legitimate economic markets. These businesses often appear to operate normally but may engage in illegal activities like tax evasion or fraudulent transactions to benefit both the organization and the company.

Which regions of Northern Italy are most affected by mafia involvement in businesses?

The regions most affected by mafia involvement are Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia Romagna. These areas are economically dynamic and rich, making them attractive for criminal organizations seeking to acquire wealth and power.

Why is there a higher presence of criminal organizations in certain provinces of Veneto?

The provinces of Venice, Padua, and Verona are particularly affected by mafia involvement, partly due to the economic dynamics in these areas. Venice, in particular, benefits from tourism and international trade, which can facilitate criminal activities. The presence of a port and airport also contributes to this issue.

What economic impact do criminal organizations have on legitimate businesses in Northern Italy?

When criminal organizations are removed from a business environment, legitimate companies benefit significantly. These companies increase investments, hire more employees, improve salaries, and reduce costs, which ultimately boosts productivity and profitability, benefiting the overall economy and society.

What is the perception of mafia organizations in the public, and how does it affect their recognition?

The public often associates mafia organizations with violence and illegal activities like drug trafficking or extortion, but they are less aware of the 'economic' side of these organizations. Mafia groups also operate through seemingly legitimate businesses, which complicates their detection and contributes to their underestimation by society.

What steps can public administrations take to avoid inadvertently supporting mafia-linked businesses?

Public administrations can mitigate the risk of supporting mafia-linked businesses by ensuring transparency in procurement processes and carefully reviewing anomalies in business transactions or contract bids. The key is vigilance and being willing to halt or delay transactions if there are signs of mafia involvement, even if it slows down economic activity.