Italy’s Earthquake Problem Is Not Helping Their Mafia Problem

Because Italy doesn’t have enough to worry about while ensuring post-quake reconstruction, Italian authorities fear they cannot ensure that the mafia won’t play a role in the country’s reconstruction. Franco Roberti, the head of Italy’s national anti-mafia directorate, is here to remind us that two wrongs don’t make a right, even if the mob does have the supplies. There is good reason for the reminder. Organized crime operations were notorious for infiltrating construction contracts after the 1980 Irpinia earthquake near Naples. Roberti is calling on the government to ensure that they block the mafia from contributing teams, building materials or other resources because the last thing they should owe the mob is a favor.