Coronavirus: The epidemic, an economic boon for the Italian mafia

Due to the massive influx of public money and investment projects in Italy, the coronavirus epidemic represents a boon for the mafia, warned the Directorate of Anti-Mafia Investigations (DIA) on Wednesday.

“The unprecedented difficulty” that the country’s economy is experiencing “because of the serious health crisis must be seen as a great opportunity for criminal organizations always ready to expand their business”, explains the DIA in its biannual report.

“Criminal investments”

Italy has recorded nearly 100,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic and its economy has collapsed, with GDP falling 8.9%, the worst recession since World War II. To revive the country and face crisis situations “it will be inevitable to ease the procedures for tenders and public services,” said the DIA.

“All of this will involve serious risks of mafia infiltration into the legal economy, more particularly in the health sector,” the report warns. “It is possible to envisage significant criminal investments in companies operating in the health sector” in the broad sense of the term, from the construction or restructuring of hospitals to funeral directors, including the management of hazardous waste or production. medical devices, adds the DIA.

EU aid of 200 billion euros

At the same time, the various criminal groups “will very likely try to intercept the new means of financing which will be made available for the construction and reinforcement of major works and infrastructures, including digital”, estimates the DIA.

Italy will benefit from European Union aid of around 200 billion euros to boost its economy. This jackpot will undoubtedly attract Mafia appetites and the procedures for awarding public contracts “will have to be accompanied by careful and rapid anti-Mafia surveillance”, underlines the report.