http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/10/11/ital...ted-mafia-ties/

WORLD
Italy Dismisses Entire City Government over Suspected Mafia Ties
By EMMA O'CONNOR | October 11, 2012 |

Italian leaders evidently have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to mafia rumors. On Tuesday, Italy’s cabinet fired the entire city government of Reggio Calabria, including its mayor and all 30 councilors, amid suspicions that some may be connected to the mob, Reuters reports.

The mass dismissal was sparked by allegations that some council members maintained ties with the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate, which many believe is even bigger than the notorious Sicilian Cosa Nostra, according to the BBC. Three commissioners will now manage Reggio Calabria until the next elections in 18 months.

The BBC reports that Interior Minister Annamaria Cancellieri said the officials were fired to prevent any mafia “contagion” in the provincial capital.

“It’s a preventative act and not a punishment,” Cancellieri said in an announcement Tuesday, as reported by the AFP. “This was a painful decision carried out in the interests of the city.”

According to the BBC’s Alan Johnston, citizens have long voiced concerns about ‘Ndrangheta’s power over the city council, and a formal investigation was opened after one councilor was arrested last year on charges of mafia association.

‘Ndrangheta is believed to earn its revenue primarily through cocaine dealing, extortion and money laundering, and the Italian parliament’s anti-mafia commission has called the group the wealthiest and most dangerous mob in the country, the BBC notes. Johnston says the Calabria-based group has criminal ties across Europe, as well as in Colombia and Canada. AFP reports that ‘Ndrangheta has a turnover of billions of euros per year. Many feared that the syndicate could soon wield direct control over Reggio Calabria, which has a population of 180,000, according to Reuters.

Although smaller towns in southern Italy have had their governments dissolved over alleged mafia links, Tuesday marks the first time a regional capital has seen its leaders dismissed in such a way, Reuters reports.

Eight people, including seven suspected gangsters, were arrested in Reggio Calabria on Wednesday, according to AFP, and 22 alleged ‘Ndrangheta associates were arrested the same day in the northern region of Lombardy.

WOW this kind of action should be done around the world totally...but the big question is who's gonna replace them???

In a year and a half, they re-elect. I doubt it'll be much different though. Who knows. You have to figure, Reggio Calabria is about the size of Providence (RI), so it's not exactly a huge area to govern.

what do they do in plati or san luca?do they even have their own major?

i heard plati has up to 80% mafia inhabitants.how can they have a major who isnt connected?i read a book by arlacchi from the 70s and even back then he wrote,that there are parts of calabria that have so many mafiosi,that they dont have to buy someone.they can vote for someone and have the majority.

They should to this over and over until the whole country is cleared, and the ones that are found guilty of mafia association should pay a minimum 10 year sentence. Mexico should do the same but they should kill the criminals there to show them going around murdering people will not be tolerated by the Mexican people. Are the Italian police as corrupt as their Mexican counterparts?

Yep, as long as there is corruption there is organized crime both come hand in hand I guess.

The Italians definitely have better Political connections and Economical one's as well though...