The Carabinieri of the ROS have dealt a new blow to the network of supporters that protected Matteo Messina Denaro during his time on the run.
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In fact, Massimo Gentile, an architect, was arrested for mafia association; Cosimo Leone, a radiology technician, for external complicity in mafia association and finally Leonardo Gulotta, also accused of external complicity in mafia association.
The investigation is coordinated by the Palermo prosecutor Maurizio de Lucia, the deputy prosecutor Paolo Guido and the prosecutors Gianluca De Leo and Piero Padova.
Since the boss was captured on January 16, 2023, 14 people have been arrested and accused of helping the wanted mafia boss. Four have already been convicted.
Massimo Gentile, originally from Campobello di Mazara, allegedly gave up his identity to Messina Denaro between 2007 and 2017, allowing him to buy a Fiat 500 and a BMW motorbike, take out insurance policies, carry out banking transactions and "live and move around his territory like any other citizen".
Cosimo Leone, Gentile's brother-in-law, allegedly guaranteed the fugitive boss a chest and abdomen CT scan in November 2020, giving him a confidential cell phone during his hospitalization for colon surgery and having the CT scan CD delivered to him after his discharge.
Leonardo Gulotta allegedly made his telephone number available to Messina Denaro between 2007 and 2017 to receive communications from the Fiat 500 dealer and insurance agencies.
The architect of the PNRR projects
Massimo Gentile, in addition to being an architect, managed dozens of projects funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). He worked in the technical office of the Municipality of Limbiate and on Facebook he published posts about the works carried out thanks to European funds, such as renovations of schools, sports facilities and infrastructures.
Gentile's activity could open new lines of investigation: magistrates have been denouncing for years the risk of mafia infiltration in the management of PNRR funding.
Article published on March 27, 2024 - 15pm
