Members of his entourage have, among other things, asked pizzi some restaurateurs. The pizzo is the periodic payment of money to the mafia by traders in exchange for its protection. This type of typical Italian mafia practice has existed in some Montreal neighborhoods for decades. Del Balso also allegedly attempted extortion to take control of other institutions.
According to our police sources, this is the first time a mafia member has settled permanently in Quebec. Investigation for extortion Francesco Del Balso is the subject of an investigation for trying to extract several thousand dollars from the owners of the restaurant La Fornarina, in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district. Rather than yield to the mafia pressures, the courageous owners decided to contact the Quebec Police Service (SPVQ) to file a complaint for extortion. The SPVQ quickly sought the help of the National Organized Crime Squad (ENRCO). Sources involved in the case say the case is treated very seriously. "This is really a bum, this guy [Del Balso]. He was told to get away from Montreal if he wanted to live and the next thing that comes to our ears is that he is threatening Quebec restaurants. Frankly ! Said one of them. "What are you talking about? Del Balso said when we reached him on the phone, before asking our Investigation Bureau never to call him again. Victim of an attempted murder in May in Laval, Del Balso, nicknamed "Chit" (cucumber, in Italian jargon), has landed in Quebec since the beginning of summer. Stay away "We asked him to stay away [from the Montreal area]," says a source related to the Rizzuto clan. "I think he did not understand that" far "it was much further than Quebec," adds a police officer well aware of the case, who also requested anonymity. Del Balso is currently employed as a representative in a fruit and vegetable distribution company. He had the same type of job when he was arrested in 2006, during the anti-Colafia operation.
Threatened with a sack of flour
Two young Italian entrepreneurs who immigrated to Quebec in 2017 are among the restaurateurs who would have tasted the "recipe" of Francesco Del Balso. Last February, the owners of the pizzeria La Fornarina, rue Saint-Jean, were visited by strange but affable customers, perhaps even a little too much. Among the group, someone seemed to want to invest in the company to expand the premises, which had just been inaugurated. On February 20, we find a Facebook publication of the restaurant that says renovations are coming. "We are going to take advantage of the break week to enlarge the main hall. Do not be bored of us, we will come back in force ", can we read there. They refuse to give in It was after that date that Del Balso gradually came into play by introducing himself to the business of Annie Ghattas and Federico Marcellini. He finally suggested to small traders to sell their business for a pittance, otherwise there would be consequences. They refused, but then they received a sack of flour on which was written an unequivocal message: either they sold their trade for a pittance, or they would have to "leave". Young entrepreneurs left Senigallia, Italy, in 2017, for a better life in Quebec. Far from being intimidated, the owners of the restaurant instead called the police. They did not want to grant an interview to our Investigation Office.
