Back in March a decision was made to allow those over the age of 70 to return to their homes under house arrest amid the COVID-19 situation. The aim was to stop the spread of the virus in prisons and to keep those of a certain age safe. The controversy came when some of those over 70’s included major Mafia members.
In early May a new decree was passed by the Italian Government to send them back to prison.
Of the 376 inmates allowed to go home, over 60 were Cosa Nostra members and over 50 were from Campania, including three powerhouses:
- Pasquale Zagaria from Puglia
- Francesco Bonura from Sicily
- Vincenzo Iannazzo, a leader of the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta’
Amongst the list was also the 85 year old Frank Cataldo, who was part of a five-man gang that killed the 11-year old son of a mob turncoat back in 1996. The gang lead by Giovanni Brusca gave the order in early 1995 for the young Guiseppe Di Matteo to be kidnapped, tortured and then killed a year later.
His body was dissolved in acid.