Orlando ordered '41-bis' for Rome mafia boss, sources

(ANSA) - Rome, December 23 - Sources said Tuesday that Justice Minister Andrea Orlando has ordered Italy's tough '41-bis' maximum security prison regime for Massimo Carminati, a former right-wing terrorist and gangster who is the alleged ringleader of a Rome-based crime syndicate involving politicians, businessmen, and civil servants. The 41-bis regime is reserved for Italy's most dangerous criminals and mob bosses and authorities argue that Carminati, who lost one eye in a shoot-out with police years ago, should be handled as such. Prosecutors believe Carminati's mafia ring muscled in on profitable city contracts in construction, waste management, parks maintenance, and immigrant and refugee reception centers (CIEs).
    It did so using mafia methods including "violence...and intimidation," Rome Chief Prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone told parliament earlier this month.
    As evidence, authorities have released wiretaps they say implicate dozens of people allegedly involved in diverting millions of euros away from city projects into criminals' bank accounts.
    "Do you have any idea how much I make on these immigrants?" Carminati's right-hand man, Salvatore Buzzi, allegedly said in a 1,200-page wiretap from early 2013.
    "Drug trafficking is not as profitable," Buzzi, who is also behind bars, allegedly added.