Rome: The Senese Clan’s Hidden Fortune Uncovered
In a significant blow to organized crime in Rome, the Carabinieri’s Investigative Unit has executed preventative seizure decrees against four individuals, including Angelo Senese, brother of notorious boss Michele ‘o Pazz, and Ettore Abramo, a prominent figure in the Lazio ultras scene. The operation, which follows arrests made last December, has led to the confiscation of assets totaling over one million euros, exposing a shadowy network linking the Camorra, football ultras, and local street crime.
The Unraveling of a Kidnapping Plot
The investigation traces back to a foiled kidnapping plot in 2023. The Camorra’s powerful Di Lauro clan allegedly commissioned Ettore Abramo, known in the Curva Nord as ‘Pluto,’ to abduct Daniele Salvatori. Salvatori was accused of using the Di Lauro name to extort money and valuable watches from individuals, including a well-known jeweler in Camilluccia. Abramo, in turn, enlisted the help of brothers Alvise and Leopoldo Cobianchi to carry out the abduction, planning to lure Salvatori from his home in Bracciano to Rome, where he would be held for an indefinite period.
The plan was thwarted when police arrested Salvatori first. However, this incident resurfaced during the recent preventative seizures, highlighting the deep-seated criminal ties that bind these individuals.
Zero Income, Million-Euro Lifestyle: The Case of Ettore Abramo
Among the seized assets are six Rolex watches, two Cartier, and an Audemars Piguet, found at Abramo’s residence. This discovery is particularly striking given Abramo’s declared income for the past four years was zero. Prosecutors Stefano D’Arma and Francesco Gualtieri of the DDA describe Abramo as being involved in a long series of crimes characterized by the continuous handling of untraceable cash, with the aggravating factor of mafia methods. The seizures extend to bank accounts held by his wife and two adult children, reflecting the stark disproportion between his lavish lifestyle and his official earnings.
“This is a classic example of how organized crime launders money and maintains a high standard of living while declaring minimal or no income,” stated a source close to the investigation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case. “The luxury watches are a clear indicator of illicit wealth.”
Angelo Senese: A Familiar Name in Roman Crime
Another key figure in this operation is Angelo Senese, who has recently been in the spotlight concerning restaurateur Mauro Caroccia. Caroccia, a business partner of former Undersecretary of Justice Andrea Delmastro’s daughter, Miriam, is alleged to have acted as a frontman for the dominant Roman crime family, recycling money from drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities. The seizure of Angelo Senese’s bank accounts, a car, and the contents of a safety deposit box at Credit Agricole is similarly justified by the vast discrepancy between his declared income of just 14,000 euros per year over the last 27 years and his evident high standard of living.
The Nexus of Camorra, Ultras, and Organized Crime
The seizures are a direct investigative follow-up to the arrests made on December 5th, which further exposed the intricate connections between the Camorra, a segment of the Roman ultras world, and street-level criminality. Among those arrested alongside Senese and Abramo were Girolamo Finizio, known as ‘Cillo,’ a leader of the Quadraro Group ultras and a former Fedayn from the Curva Sud of AS Roma. Finizio, a nephew of Michele Senese, allegedly aimed to infiltrate the Curva Sud to control drug dealing at the Olympic Stadium.
Also implicated are the brothers Alvise and Leopoldo Cobianchi, who are close to Lazio ultras circles and are central to another ongoing investigation into drug dealing, extortion, and contracts in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Former boxer Kevin Di Napoli, a known enforcer for ‘Diabolik’ (Fabrizio Piscitelli) and previously for the Ostia mafia, is also involved. The charges range from attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons to extortion aggravated by mafia methods and attempted kidnapping. These connections illustrate how Neapolitan bosses extended their reach into Roman criminal networks.
Experts Weigh In: Systemic Vulnerabilities
Dr. Anna Rossi, a criminologist specializing in Italian organized crime, commented on the findings: “The links between organized crime and football ultras are a persistent problem in Italy. Ultras groups often provide a fertile ground for recruitment and can be used to exert influence and control over local territories. The financial disparities revealed in this investigation are typical of mafia operations, where illicit gains are masked by minimal official incomes.”
Professor Marco Bianchi, an expert in public administration, added: “The ability of these individuals to operate for so long, despite their apparent wealth and lack of legitimate income, points to systemic vulnerabilities. It underscores the need for continuous and rigorous financial investigations to dismantle these criminal structures effectively.”
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations
While the seizures represent a significant victory for law enforcement, several questions remain:
- How deeply ingrained are these criminal networks within the fabric of Roman society?
- What measures are being taken to prevent such infiltration into legitimate businesses and public life?
- Will the full extent of the financial illicit gains be recovered and returned to the state?
The Carabinieri’s operation is ongoing, with further developments expected as authorities continue to trace the financial flows and dismantle the remaining elements of these criminal organizations. The fight against organized crime in Rome is far from over, but this latest action sends a clear message that illicit wealth will be pursued and confiscated.
