Naples – The ordinary trial resulting from the Naples Anti-Mafia Directorate 's investigation into extortion and Camorra-rigged contracts in hospitals in the hilly area has concluded with eight convictions totaling 71 and a half years in prison and three acquittals.
At the center of the investigation is the Cimmino clan , accused of having imposed its control over public works and health services, including million-dollar contracts at the Cardarelli hospital.
The sentence was issued by the seventh criminal section of the Court of Naples (panel A, president Raffaele Donnarumma), with the prosecution represented by prosecutors Celeste Carrano and Henry John Woodcock.
The investigation, which culminated in October 2021 with the arrest of 40 businessmen and gang members, had already led to convictions for nearly 290 years in a summary trial in 2022. In the recently concluded proceedings, evidence also emerged of an alleged €400 "protection money" for a €47 million contract with Cardarelli.
The sentences
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Alexander Desio – 15 years
(accused of being the clan's contact in Antignano; however, the accusation of being the head and promoter of the gang was excluded) -
Abramo Maione – 14 years old
-
Salvatore Zampini – 13 years old
-
Marco Salvati – 12 years
(de facto owner of Croce San Pio, operating in the transport of the sick) -
Gennaro Stefanelli – 7 years and 6 months
-
Simone Paolino – 7 years old
-
Anna Di Pipolo – 1 year and 6 months
-
Guido Galano – 1 year and 6 months
The court also ordered compensation in favor of the hospitals involved, consumer associations and victims of crime, as well as the national and regional CGIL.
Fully acquitted:
-
Luigi Trombetta
(Funeral Director: Accusations of Monopoly on Services for the Deceased Collapse in Agreement with the Clan) -
Massimiliano DeCicco
-
Antonio Teghemei
The filing of the reasons is expected within 90 days. Several convicted persons, including Desio himself, will consider appealing. Desio and Salvati have already been granted house arrest, given the mitigation of the precautionary requirements.
(in the photo three of the condemned Alessandro Desio, Marco Salvati and Abramo Maione)
It is very sad that the Camorra is still so present in hospitals and public works. We hope that this sentence will bring real change to the community and that citizens can feel safer.
I don't know if the sentences are enough to stop these phenomena, but it is a step forward. Hospitals should be places of care and not of crime, we need to work more on this.