Mafia chief's right-hand man in jail 'suicide'

[emad]

The Independent
By Peter Popham in Rome
29 January 2005


The right-hand man of the Mafia capo di capi, Bernardo "The Tractor" Provenzano, was found dead in his cell in the north Italian city of Modena yesterday morning. Francesco Pastoia, 62, was hanging from the bars of the cell by a sheet. Warders were unable to revive him.

The Sicilian gangster, who had often been in prison before, was one of 50 mafiosi close to Provenzano who were arrested on Tuesday in a raid in Palermo and other Sicilian towns by more than 1,000 police. The raid was the culmination of a three-year attempt to catch the 71-year-old boss, who has been on the run for the past 41 years, and who is regarded as the unchallenged chief of the Mafia.

Pastoia was described as the key interface between Provenzano and the subordinate mobsters who ensured his safety, delivered his typewritten commands, and kept him supplied with food and information as he slipped from one hideout to another.

Pastoia was also closely involved with Mafia crimes unearthed by the investigation. He made sure that firms linked to the mob continued to enjoy a monopoly of public construction contracts, and that shopkeepers and businessmen continued to hand over the pizzo, the Mafia protection money which remains the backbone of its wealth and power.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=605730

MEANWHILE Licio Gelli and Flavio Carbone are in the slammer awaiting the resumption of the "God's Banker" murder trial in Rome.......

[CanOfWhoopAss]

1. Who gave the ditzy waitress the right to vote?

I suspect her elevator can't go to the top floor. Since the shaft is empty I guess we'll never be able to prove it.

[Straight Shooter]

2. Your response is amusing but it's a staggering non sequitur

Are you responding to another post? Welcome to DU! :hi:

I was just discussing this case with a friend the other day. I hope that banker receives justice. The Mafia is not a romantic organization, as some people would like to believe from watching the Godfather movies. It is lethal and cruel.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

3. oops!!

Yep misposted... I guess I shouldn't have so many windows open but I'm trying to absorb everything at DU. I'm greedy...

Can I delete the post or just the moderators?

Thanks for the warm welcome!

[Cicero]

4. Don't think you can delete the moderators, dude...

:evilgrin:

Later,