Welfare cuts for relatives of imprisoned clan members

The district of Tor Bella Monaca is a hotly contested battle ground between the two clans

ROME -- Two criminal clans, the Cordaro and the Crecenzi, have cut down on welfare cuts for relatives of imprisoned members, according to an investigation carried out by prosecutor Michele Prestipino in the district of Tor Bella Monaca where 37 were arrested earlier this month. Compensation, which used to be 150 euros per week, has now dropped to 100.

 For some, the sum is even lower, with relatives of Elena Buccieri, imprisoned for weapon-keeping, reportedly receiving just 100 euros every two weeks. Recordings caught by the police report one relative, Michela Buccieri, saying: “150 plus 150, that makes 300 over the two weeks, so they ripped me off for 200.”

 According to financial statements, it was not just relatives who were suffering from cuts. Dealers and lookouts were also affected, with veterans now earning 70 per day as opposed to 80, and novices now only on 50 a day.  It was the most experienced who first starting holding their bosses to account: “What am I doing here earning 70 a day? This is ridiculous, I need to keep my wife and kids alive.”

 Natasha Cordaro, wife of the clan boss, was the one responsible for managing finances after the crisis: “We’re going through hard times, I have a lot on my hands, fifteen families to look after and less income coming in. What do people expect me to do?”

 The investigation states her course of action is not uncommon: “In moments of financial crisis, salaries are the first to go in criminal organisations.” 

 One junior member of the clan was threatened with death after expressing dissatisfaction with the new cuts: “Don’t get all caught up - 50 euros, that’s all you’re gonna get. We’re going through a crisis, you better be happy with what you got, or else we’ll slit your throat.”

 Despite adverse financial circumstances, the clan still sits on a suspiciously large income base; it spends 18,500 euros a month on dealers and relatives, but raked in a considerable 124,000 in the month of January.

 

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