Criminal infiltrations in the construction sector: 11 companies under the scrutiny of the Prefecture

The construction sector is revealed, even in the province of Agrigento, to be the one most at “risk” of infiltration by organized crime but also the one on which the attention of the relevant authorities is most focused.

In recent days, the prefect has adopted 5 new anti-mafia interdiction measures against as many companies that have been deemed tainted by organized crime.

In addition to these, there are six pre-notices of anti-mafia interdiction information against as many companies involved, which are also active in the public works sectors. In this case, these are administrative acts issued by the prefect that notify a company of the initiation of an interdiction procedure, ensuring the right to a hearing before the final adoption.

They are, of course, based on indications of mafia infiltration, and aim to prevent criminal influences in the legitimate economy, allowing the company to present defensive arguments. This is a measure adopted in recent years that has, in many ways, corrected the “distortion” imposed by atypical interdictions, which could instead be adopted autonomously by the Prefecture with the support of the Law Enforcement Forces and the anti-mafia interforce group even with mere “suspicions”. Acts that, however, did not withstand the scrutiny of administrative justice.

The current interdictions, shared during a coordination meeting of the Police Forces with the participation of the prosecutor of the Republic of Agrigento, have concerned companies involved in judicial police operations conducted by the State Police and the Carabinieri under the delegation of the Prosecutor's Office and the Anti-Mafia District Attorney's Office.

A related issue is, for example, the registration of companies in the so-called “White list”, an essential certification to work with the public administration. To date, there are several hundred applicants, in some cases waiting for several years.