Giorgio De Stefano

Giorgio De Stefano (born November 27, 1948 in Reggio Calabria) is an Italian criminal and a member of the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria. He belongs to the De Stefano 'ndrina, based in the Archi neighbourhood in the city of Reggio Calabria, and is a cousin of the historical boss Paolo De Stefano. He has a degree in criminal law and is often referred to as "the lawyer".[1]

'Ndrangheta heritage

The De Stefanos would come to prominence as members of the 'Ndrangheta clan of Domenico Tripodo, the old boss (capobastone) of Reggio Calabria, who had acquired considerable financial resources through tobacco smuggling. Within two years (as a result of the First 'Ndrangheta war in 1974-1976) they moved from being simple 'Ndranghetisti to being the new "lords" of Reggio Calabria.[2]

The De Stefanos extended their reach beyond the criminal world and entered in a Masonic lodge in order to better take care of business and political interests. Giorgio De Stefano was elected for the Christian Democrat party (DC - Democrazia Cristiana) in the city council of Reggio Calabria for many years.[3][4]

Second 'Ndrangheta war

The De Stefano clan was a protagonist in the Second 'Ndrangheta war, which grouped all the 'ndrine in the city of Reggio Calabria into either one of two opposing factions: the Condello, Imerti, Serraino and Rosmini clans on one side, and the De Stefano 'ndrina, Tegano, Libri and Latella clans on the other. The boss of the clan, Paolo De Stefano, was killed on October 13, 1985.[5][6]

Paolo’s brother Orazio De Stefano and Giorgio De Stefano took over the leadership of the clan. Both were seen as the main mentors of the "pax mafiosa" that ended the Second 'Ndrangheta war in September 1991.[7] A deal had to be brokered between the main adversaries Pasquale Condello (the Condellos had killed Paolo De Stefano) and Giorgio De Stefano, who wanted the killers of his cousin. Another 'Ndrangheta boss, Domenico Alvaro, had to be called in to mediate.[8][9]

Power broker

A sharp-witted individual with a diabolic shrewdness, he was described by a pentito as "the true ominous shadow behind all bloody events." Rather than a man of action he was the example of the behind-the-scene power broker of one of the most powerful 'Ndrangheta clans.[1]

While his close ally Giovanni Tegano became a member of La Provincia, a provincial commission of the 'Ndrangheta, formed at the end of the war to avoid further internal conflicts, he was in the care of Giorgio De Stefano.[9] He was allied with bosses of the other Italian crime organizations, such as Leoluca Bagarella and Nitto Santapaola from the Sicilian Mafia, and Raffaele Cutolo from the Camorra.[1]

Arrest

Wanted by the police he became a fugitive and was inserted on the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy. He was arrested in Reggio Calabria on July 1, 1996, while trying to hide in a trunk.[10] At the time he was considered to be the number one of the 'Ndrangheta.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 (Italian) Preso il padrino della ' ndrangheta, La Repubblica, July 2, 1996
  2. ↑ Paoli, Mafia Brotherhoods, pp. 50-51
  3. ↑ Paoli, Mafia Brotherhoods, p. 200
  4. ↑ Arlacchi, Mafia Business, p. 177
  5. ↑ (Italian) Ucciso il 're delle cosche' e ora lotta per la successione, La Repubblica, October 15, 1985
  6. ↑ Paoli, Mafia Brotherhoods, pp. 88-89
  7. ↑ (Italian) 'Ndrangheta, preso De Stefano, La Repubblica, February 22, 2004
  8. ↑ (Italian) Gratteri & Nicaso, Fratelli di Sangue, pp. 65-68
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 (Italian) Sentenza procedimento penale Olimpia, Tribunale di Reggio Calabria, January 19, 1999
  10. ↑ (Italian) Il superboss era nel baule, Corriere della Sera, July 2, 1996
Business positions
Preceded by
Paolo De Stefano		 De Stefano 'ndrina
Boss
1985–1996 		Succeeded by
Giovanni Tegano