The Mysterious Death of Enrico Mattei: Uncovering the Shadows of Power and Corruption
This episode of Altre Indagini delves into the captivating yet tragic narrative surrounding Enrico Mattei, a significant figure in Italy's energy sector and a visionary behind Metanopoli, a suburb of Milan conceived for the employees of Eni, the national hydrocarbon agency he led. Established in the 1950s, Metanopoli symbolized Mattei's ambitious dreams for energy independence and economic prosperity. However, this dream was abruptly overshadowed by tragedy when Mattei's plane crashed on the evening of October 27, 1962, near Bascapè, in the province of Pavia.
While initial investigations hastily labeled the incident an accident, Deputy Prosecutor Vincenzo Calia later concluded the opposite: Mattei had been murdered. Unfortunately, despite his suspicions, Calia was unable to identify a suspect, as evidence had been meticulously destroyed.
The narrative, narrated by Stefano Nazzi and Giulia Balducci, introduces a mosaic of players including Italian and Italian-American mafia factions, the major oil conglomerates known as the seven sisters, as well as a spectrum of individuals from former partisans to ex-fascists. Notably, it also brings into focus Tommaso Buscetta, one of the most notorious informants within Cosa Nostra, whose insights added depth to the investigation.
Compounding the mystery is the unsolved case of Mauro De Mauro, a Sicilian journalist who mysteriously vanished while investigating the circumstances of Mattei's death. At the time of his demise, Mattei was not just a pioneering businessman; he was Italy's most renowned figure abroad, known for his charisma and connections that afforded him a life filled with glamour alongside his wife, Austrian dancer Greta Paulas. His tenure is also marred by allegations of corruption, including the dubious funding of political parties with illicit funds, employing underhanded tactics to complete gas pipelines quickly, and crafting strategic maneuvers to acquire Iranian oil.
Through the lens of Altre Indagini, this tale is not merely about crime—it is a profound commentary on the intricate and often dark relationships between politics, business, and organized crime in Italy's historical landscape. Subscription to Altre Indagini on the Posts website and app provides access to this riveting investigative journalism, which is designed to uphold the integrity and continuity of free information for the public.
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