Italian officials ramp up efforts to protect companies from mafia infiltration

Italy has increased efforts to block mafia infiltration into companies struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials have been handing out an average of 150 “anti-mafia” bans every month since the beginning of 2020.  These bans have been used to prevent companies from entering contracts with the public administration.  Campania, Sicily, and Calabria, where the three most powerful families reside, have been the primary geographical focus for these bans.

The regions of Campania, Sicily, and Calabria have been the focus of these anti-mafia bans, blocking them from going into business with financially struggling companies

The mafia groups have been offering loans or buy-out agreements to companies that were victim of financial hardships during the coronavirus pandemic and a two month lockdown.  National anti-mafia prosecutor Cafiero De Raho stated that “The mafia’s movements, in this period, focus more than ever on financing, acquisitions and infiltration into companies.”

Italian officials are checking for “inconsistent investments”, looking at volumes, subjects, and destinations of transferred funds.

A total of 1,400 bans have been issued in 2020 with the rate rising in the last four months, when government aid began to reach companies.