Nocera – An empire built on the "budding" of illicit capital, capable of regenerating even after the initial seizures and infiltrating major road construction contracts across Italy. The Guardia di Finanza (Fiamme Gialle) of the Salerno Provincial Command has executed a €13 million confiscation order issued by the Court – Preventive Measures Section – at the request of the Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA), against Giovanni Citarella, born in 68.
Today's operation represents the final chapter in a complex financial reconstruction. Citarella, son of Gennaro (a Nocerina businessman murdered in a Camorra ambush in the 90s), was identified by magistrates as a significant "social threat." His criminal record includes final convictions for attempted mafia-related murder, corruption, bid-rigging, and numerous tax offenses. In recent years, he also served as president of Nocerina Calcio, which under his leadership had won Serie B.
The “budding” system
At the center of the investigation are "CIEFFE Lavori Srl" and "CIEFFE Costruzioni Srl." Although formally registered to a front man—56-year-old Neapolitan Francesco Caccavale—the companies were, according to investigators, entirely at the disposal of Citarella.
GICO investigations have shown how these entities were born from extraordinary corporate transactions (demergers and company transfers) designed to launder money from illicit activities committed between 1997 and 2012. This financial "matryoshka" mechanism allowed the master to continue operating in the infrastructure sector despite previous seizures, such as the one that hit Infrastrutture Stradali Scpa in 2021.
Golden contracts throughout Italy
The scale of the business was impressive. Between 2021 and 2024, Citarella group companies had won contracts worth over €450 million for projects in Sardinia, Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania.
Wiretaps and phone calls confirmed that Citarella was in charge of every move, despite his name not appearing in any official documents. Currently, the companies are under judicial administration: business continuity is guaranteed to safeguard jobs and complete the construction sites, with an expected revenue of approximately €73 million, which, thanks to the confiscation, will now go to the state coffers.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (3)
The fact that Citarella managed everything without appearing in the documents is alarming; it demonstrates how mafias can infiltrate sensitive sectors. A collective effort is needed to combat this scourge.
Today's investigations are crucial to understanding how these corruption systems work. It's incredible that there are people who manage to operate despite seizures. We must remain vigilant in these situations.
The article addresses a very serious and complex issue: organized crime is a grave problem for our society. It is important that thorough investigations be conducted to dismantle these illicit networks and ensure justice.