The "scandal of the oils"

The "scandal of the oils," otherwise known as "the scandal of two trillion" (1), took hold in the fall of 1980 on the initiative of the magistrates of Treviso and the initial investigation of a local newspaper in Treviso (2) , when there was talk of a scam treasury 2,000 billion and it is argued that "the smuggling of oil had caused an almost 20 per cent of the oil actually consumed and taxes paid, with consequent effects on the statistical data on which were set i, however, never implemented, energy plans "(3). Ceased smuggling in the early eighties, it signaled a significant increase in the consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel, in contrast with other European countries in which it pointed to a sharp contraction in consumption of petroleum products to the crisis in western economies affected by increases in the price of oil. The increase in demand for petroleum products depended on the fact that "large companies (...) they were seen by the market require gasoline and diesel that first came to consumers through the company smuggler. Was not, therefore, a real increase, but a change in the legal consumption: the companies that offered the opportunity to ask the price increases, while the Italians were forced to endure heavy and restrictive measures were 'told off' because, unlike other countries, they were not able to contracting consumption and to follow the austerity energy "(4).
The investigation started in 1978, involved 18 different courts, including the one in Turin, Venice, and Milan, as already mentioned, of Treviso. The various judicial offices made ​​inquiries coordinates, in the attempt, far from easy, to reconstruct the dynamics of the facts of smuggling.
It became quickly clear that this so-called scam or scandal would have been possible "to the laws that favored, owing to close links between the political class and businessmen, for the connivance of senior officers in charge of controls" (5 ).
2. Facts scandal

Now consider what were the events that led to the birth of the prodromal proceedings 349/81 of the Court of Turin (GI Mario Vaudano) against the "supergroup Gissing - Galassi - Milani - Musselli - Boatti" that ended with the first-instance judgment of 30 April 1987.
To do this you need to step back to 1976 and the so-called "Vitali relationship."
In 1976, Aldo Vitali, a colonel of the Guardia di Finanza, please fill out "an internal note of ten pages" (6) and 186 sheets attached. The note incorporates, in large part, information that Captain Antonio Ibba service "I" (internal secret service) of the peripheral center of the Guardia di Finanza Padua from 1972 to 1975, then moved to Catanzaro, had laid a few weeks before. In the report Vitali talks about a very big round of oil smuggling, headed by the "Coastal Northern Adriatic Sea" in Marghera, protected by a "senior political figure" (7). In the minutes, Vitali, in addition to indicating the most points in the name of oil Brunello "Brunello Lubricants," says some assumptions about how the smuggling would happen. On 21 February 1976, the "relationship Vitali" ends up in the hands of Peter Spaccamonti, the inspector general of northern Italy, which immediately informs the General Command.
From the Command, headed by Raffaele Giudice, Commanding General of the Corps, and the Chief of Staff Donato Lo Prete, March 16, 1976 comes a transfer order for Vitali and will open an investigation on its behalf. Spaccamonti delivered a report to the General Command of Vitali, which contains the report prepared by Ciccone, chief of the Information Office of Padova, which puts a bad light on the work of Vitali. On 4 February 1981, the judges of Treviso, a graphics expert, will find that the ratio of Ciccone had been drawn up using the typewriter Julius format. He, along with a good friend of them Ciccone and former officer of the Guardia di Finanza, was the lawyer of the oil companies involved in the scandal. Considered "the cashier of the band" (8), was in charge of the payments of the financiers. This was rated as the "litmus test" (9) of the collusion between the Information Service on Finance and the oil companies dedicated to smuggling.
The charge for Vitali is to be "a military too gullible and therefore not very serious" (10), and having beyond protection from its jurisdiction. Judge directs in January Spaccamonti, inspector for the north of Italy, a letter in which he reiterated the criticisms leveled at Vitali, who has committed a reprehensible abuse of power, and control of the critical zone of not having played for overseeing and coordinating action on Vitali. Vitali is sent to the school students of Rome and replaced by Colonel Izzo, confidant of The Priest. Meanwhile arrives in Venice to command the Regional Team, Colonel John Visicchio. Informed of the incident by Vitali, who calls it "a hard row to hoe" (11), Visicchio does not make any significant action. In a short time, he decided to resign from the body, leaving the job before the Colonel Corrado Lo Giudice, then Colonel Lino Ausiello. As well as the Izzo, Ausiello also was a man of faith Lo Prete.
Meanwhile, on a highway near Venice, is stopped a tanker full of fuel and without the accompanying document (12). Now we go back to the "Brunello Lubricants" mentioned Vitali in his report. The checks are performed, but roughly. Investigations are continuing, "wearily" (13). It turns out that there is a deposit of "Brunello Lubricants" in Vicenza. It also turns out the link between the criminal "Coastal Northern Adriatic" and the "Brunello Lubricants", but it seems that no one "has interest and desire to push the knife in the wound." Ausiello, collects accounting documents "almost unreadable" (14) and sends them to the courts of Treviso. The press writes that he makes "his work, in the eyes of his superiors," and at the same time fills "the judiciary of smoke, stun, the data indicates only a minimum: an escape of just 10 million for" Brunello Lubricants. "Something to laugh. Others that the bulk smuggling of petroleum says that gullible Vitali!" (15)
On 16 March 1976 the Police Vimercate stop in the square in front of the factory "Star" Agrate two individuals, following reports received about repeated encounters suspicious of cars at that point. The police think it is drug dealing. They find, however, that one of the individuals arrested, this Bormida, is in possession of modules H ter 16 (16) of which is not able to justify the absence of the relevant product handled. Understand, therefore, to be confronted with an alleged tax fraud (17). Two days later, when questioned by the police, Bormida said to be in a confused state and could not remember precisely the origin and destination of the modules. On March 19, the Police shall send a report to the Public Prosecutor of Monza and the same time inform the Guardia di Finanza charged by the prosecutor to investigate Bormida.
The prosecutor in Monza, March 22, 1976, question Bormida, who portrayed any former declaration. Not even four days later, he gives the judges a new version of the facts, the "definitive", suggested to him by a note received in prison by another inmate. The same day, the Guardia di Finanza di Monza inform the General Command and requires several findings to the nuclei of other regions in the North of Italy. The investigation, however, as was the case following the reporting Vitali, lead to nothing.
On 18 February 1977 the Magistrate of Monza emits judgment of nonsuit against suspected of smuggling. Despite the decision of the Magistrate of Monza, the investigation continues. It turns out that, in particular, between the companies related to Bormida, the "Isomar" Chiabotti of oil (which they were intended modules H-ter 16 seized Agrate Brianza) is responsible for a massive smuggling of petroleum products. The evidence is so strong and numerous that the Prosecutor of Turin decides to proceed with the formal rite Chiabotti against smuggling operated through the "Isomar." It is a procedure called "Isomar 1", which will end with the conviction of the principal defendants found guilty of smuggling and with the confirmation of the sentence even on appeal (18).
From "Isomar 1" are the illegal trafficking of "Isomar" from other companies in the industry. To shed light on the relationship with them, opens in Turin, a new procedure, called "Isomar 2" against the same "Isomar" and other companies such as "Garlate", the "Siplar" and "Sebrina". "Isomar 2" ends in 1981 with the conviction at first instance of all the defendants, and in 1984 the Court of Appeal of Turin confirmed the first instance judgment (19).
In 1978, on the same days in which the judicial authority of Turin began investigations into the "Isomar", is presented in the court of Treviso, oilman John Savoy. He declares that "the company Brunello is the channel to find out the lap of oil cheated." The reason for this testimony is, in the opinion of the press, that Savoy was addicted to smuggling and "did not go down that he was ousted from the big lap" (20). At the same time, two non-commissioned officers of the Guardia di Finanza complain to the judicial authorities of Treviso suffered a bribe in the course of an audit. Just a few investigations and the truth does come out. At a fuel depot, which was supposed to be the main point of supply "Brunello Lubricants," it turns out "that there was nothing except a meadow with tall grass a meter" (21). On 9 September 1978 Brunello, owner of the homonymous company, was arrested on charges of smuggling. The arrest calls into question "the higher ranks of the Guardia di Finanza" (22) that would have allowed the development of a network of smuggling. On December 5, the preliminary investigation is opened. On December 16, in the nucleus of Venice Regional Tax Police, in charge of the investigation, the investigating judge sends Treviso a report documenting the investigation. On December 29, the court shall issue a court of Treviso against Ausiello for collusion in smuggling and private interest in official acts. In essence, Ausiello was accused of having Brunello informed of an impending audit logs on the loading and unloading of the "Brunello" by dell'Utif. To prevent this, Ausiello states that the verification is carried out by the same Guardia di Finanza. To achieve this goal, Ausiello uses a clever ploy: send an anonymous letter to the same Guardia di Finanza, with the complaint of smuggling activity at the "Brunello". In order to conduct investigations into alleged smuggling has the seizure of the records of "Brunello", avoiding the verification dell'Utif. From the documentation of "Brunello" appeared a supply of petroleum products from the "The Venetian Hydrocarbons" of Vicenza. Verification of the latter is delegated to the core of the Guardia di Finanza di Vicenza, whose commander is the captain Bove, involved in the same smuggling activities, which delays the investigations. They received two non-commissioned officers of the Guardia di Finanza (23) performing verifications at the "Venetian Oil". Irregularity in the management, takes a bribe by the managers of the company. Complain that the captain fats, substitute Bove, left for the holidays. Fats send a preliminary report to the judiciary of Vicenza.
The magistrate of Treviso, Happy Napoletano, begins to work hard to chance. Convene Visicchio and the general Palandri (Zone Commander of Veneto) of the Financial Police, which said that "at the command there ', in a drawer, covered in dust, a certain" relationship Vitali "(24). Vitali is questioned , which confirms everything. It begins checking as described in the pages of the report.
We are in December 1978. Raffaele Judge ceases to be commander of the Guardia di Finanza, retiring; Donato Lo Prete becomes Commander of the area of the body.
From the investigations carried out during the investigation of "Isomar 2" are a variety of payments by oil companies involved at the top of the Guardia di Finanza and the General Staff. On 6 October 1980, the Court of Turin provides that the hypothesis of collusion are separated by "Isomar 2", giving rise to a different procedure (Proc 906/80, known as "Judge 1") that concludes with the judgment of the Court of turin 23 December 1981, then confirmed on appeal, by which criminal liability is recognized, among others, Raffaele Giudice and Donato Lo Prete.
From "Judge 1" new elements emerge. The magistrates of Vicenza, Lecco and Busto Arsizio give rise to self-sections survey, based on the finding of "Isomar 1", "2 Isomar" and "Judge 1". The judges of Treviso began a thorough investigation of the filing of the "Coastal Northern Adriatic" Marghera Bruno Musselli. He gradually discovers the mechanism of the scam. Brunello admits smuggling, saying that "the crude oil it took from the Coastal Northern Adriatic." It issued an arrest warrant for Musselli that turns out to be untraceable.
The press of the time describes the climate of the investigation:
"Difficulties, attempted cover-up, not judges who are busy, a flood of letters and documents from anonymous strikes on judges of half of Italy, (...) maneuvers to deflect, cover up, block, empty the judicial inquiry the scandal of the oils for years have been tried dozens. most striking from (transfers of men who were investigating) to the most underground. perfidious and. Like a rain of memorials, complaints, all anonymous letters between late 1979 and early 1980 has hit on the tables of judges of half of Italy, the Superior Council of Magistrates, ministers and secretaries of parties. recurring motif in the documents, especially the sword in defense of General and the Judge Priest. generals however, those "opponents, "according to the script of the classic feuds, were covered with insults (from" dog "to" crazy free-range "and so on) and charges as they could. All anonymous, but explicit. generals referred to as" persecutors of the tandem Judge -The Priest, "for example, they were immediately singled out as" recipients of bribes abroad, "with so much of the income ($ 200,000 paid on behalf of UBS Geneva called" Caribbean "), in exchange for control of domesticated particular oil companies "(25).
Nevertheless, at the end of 1979, are issued judicial communications sensational against The Priest and Judge Napolitano by the court of Treviso, for private interest and aiding and abetting. You discover the business relationship between The Priest and Musselli (26).
The prosecution of Treviso and Turin continue to investigate the affairs of the "Siplar" Salvatore Vincenzo Galassi and Gissing, "intertwined" fixer to Mario Milani and "Coastal Northern Adriatic" which turns out to be Milani administrator.
On 17 October 1980 he was arrested by the military Mario Milani Guardia di Finanza of Venice, on the order of the Prosecutor of Treviso (27). Joining him are imprisoned numerous employees and drivers of the "Coastal Northern Adriatic" and "Siplar." At the same time, it issued a new arrest warrant against Bruno Musselli, which turns out to be a fugitive in Switzerland.
It turns out that a lot of "important people enrolled on the payroll of Musselli" (28), owner of "SOFIMI" financial "group Musselli" that controls at least thirty diverse society, from the oil sector to real estate, engineering and textiles; including "Bitumoil", the refinery that supplied around the oil smuggling. Is assessed as only a few months after the entry into operation of the Bitumoil in September of 1976, comes the "SOFIMI", with paid-up capital of one million, which in a few months will increase to four billion share, whose provenance "very interested in the judiciary "(29). It also appears that Musselli became, in the seventies, Consul of Chile and as a result got a diplomatic passport. This allowed him to leave several times to return to Italy and evading any kind of control over what he was carrying with him. He was also awarded the title of "Knight of work" by the then President of the Republic Leone, evidence of the power exercised by the oil and maintained good relations with these various political leaders of the parliamentary majority, particularly belonging to the Christian Democrat Party of Aldo Moro . From the investigation of bank records seized by the Guardia di Finanza, it turned out that on several occasions Musselli financed the Democratic Party, pouring tens of millions of checks to Clear Freato, then head of the secretariat Mr. Moro, president of the foundation named after the Christian Democrat leader after his assassination. Musselli appears on the board of the foundation and it turns out to be the largest contributor. Freato defends himself, claiming that most of the money received from Musselli were, in fact, for the purchase of feed for the horses Musselli, kept and bred in the Tuscan estates of the same Freato (30).
Freato is not the only current Moro to be on the payroll of Musselli. Compare also the name of Liliana Fantasy, Moro's personal secretary, first, to Freato, subsequently, the sister of Dominic Fantasy, which, after the death of Moro, pass the following Donnat Cattin and will be arranged as Deputy Director General of "Assitalia" . And it is Donnat Cattin Minister of Industry, in the period in which it came to pass the test of the rigged "Bitumoil." The presence of a politician close to Musselli, for the reasons set out above, was used, according to the press as "contraband of coverage" (31).
But Musselli seems not only to have good relations with Christian Democrats. Other data collected in the investigation also testify to its proximity to socialist circles. It appears that the assistant secretary of the Socialist Federation of Milan, Thomas Fish, figured on the Governing Board of the "SOFIMI" for a short period. In addition, appear to have been paid by Musselli checks for tens of millions socialists Vagno and Magnani Noya. Both confirm that they have received the money, but you justify it by saying that it was the reward for a professional paid to Musselli.
Is discovered contraband in place at the "ICIP" of Mantua, which is a shareholder with the same Musselli. It turns out that, in the same period of the "meteoric rise" (32) Musselli, sprang up all over the North of Italy, deposits "SIF" away from large refineries and coastal depots, "that is, where it was easier to escape controls" (33). Musselli turned out to be also a member of the "Coastal Northern Adriatic Sea", under investigation by the courts of Treviso and connected by a pipeline to the "ICIP".
It has become clear that Musselli controls a real organization aimed at smuggling of petroleum products, which operates throughout the North of Italy and that involves the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises.
In late October of 1980, the investigation of the "Coastal Northern Adriatic Sea" conducted by the court of Treviso, go to territorial jurisdiction, the prosecution of Venice. Despite a different and slower method of investigation, the Attorney General of the Republic of Venice Ennio Fortuna issue a new arrest warrant against Milani, already imprisoned on the orders of the court of Treviso. At the same time stands another 17 arrest warrants against entrepreneurs and former officers of the Guardia di Finanza, including Vincenzo Galassi Gissing and Savior. Everything is always in relation to reports of contraband discovered in the "Coastal Northern Adriatic" and the "Brunello Lubricants" Brunello family.
It turns out that Gissing is to be made ​​administrator of the "Garlate Oils", replaced, after the discovery of the contraband to the "Coastal Northern Adriatic Sea", the "Siplar" Galassi. The latter is identified as the nerve center of the whole smuggling operated by Gissing and Galassi. It turns out that, in addition to Galassi, in the social, Aldea Sottovia this figure, best known as the wife of Mario Milani. Recognized the relationship between Milani, Gissing and Galassi, it turns out that behind the "Coastal Northern Adriatic", managed by Milani, the figure also Musselli. By the prosecutor in Turin arrive unequivocal information on the relationship between the hedging Musselli and Judge. It turns out also that Galassi was employed by The Priest at the time when the latter was head of '"The Office" section of the Secret Service of the Guardia di Finanza. Appear, therefore, now clear the relations existing between the main accused. The court of Venice begins to suspect the presence of Gissing, as a third partner, as well as Milani and Musselli, in the "Coastal Northern Adriatic Sea" (34), a circumstance then fully verified.
You try to hinder the work of the Prosecutor of Turin and Venice through instances of objection submitted by the defenders of Gissing and The Priest who, in anticipation of rejection by the respective Courts of Appeal, had the effect of suspending the 'preliminary activity, reduced to the conduct of acts urgent.
Second, since December of 1979 through the summer of 1980, during the months when the investigations underway in Turin and Treviso made ​​it obvious size and shell oil smuggling, the Head of State, CSM, several ministers, the Court of Cassation, the attorney of the Republic of other centers of northern Italy and Rome, were deluged with exposed anonymous "argument to build a sort of" controprocesso "that in action" (35). In these anonymous, it downplayed the extent of smuggling, we exclude the existence of shell by the leadership of the Guardia di Finanza, is formulated accusations of political subversion, or even of serious crimes against prosecuting judges, accusing the the Guardia di Finanza not compromised with smuggling and engaged in the investigation, to act for the sake of personal ambition and career and have in turn committed serious irregularities. In these reliefs, was added the activity of control exercised by the Secret Service of the Guardia di Finanza, that "instead of monitoring the oil companies implicated in the scandal, would control the judiciary and other investigators uncomfortable" (36).
The Attorney General of Venice, followed by other offices, sent the case to the Supreme Court, with a request to designate the competent judicial authority for the process, being able to assume responsibility on behalf of the magistrates operating in the district. Was designated the judiciary of Modena. The attempt to "controprocesso" did not succeed. The processes taking place in Turin and Treviso did not stop and the Investigating Judge of Modena, the judges acquitted of all charges indicated in the display, started proceedings for libel against persons unknown.
The pages of policy papers by the end of 1980 are filled with statements of political leaders who defend their parties. MPs called into question by the matrices of the checks of the "great almoner" Musselli defending themselves, declaring the victims of conspiracies. So Clear Freato, showy as the main recipient of the money paid by the oil companies, in the face of more pressing charges coming from the public, defends himself by saying that, although there is a clear political plan aimed to eliminate it, "the body that is was hit in the first person is trying to move the goal "(37), referring to the ongoing attempt by the Guardia di Finanza, to shift the focus of the investigation on their own, to other goals.
In early November 1980, the Minister of the Interior, Reviglio appoint a parliamentary committee formed by "senior members" (38) foreign tax authorities, with the aim of evaluating the conduct in the affair by officials at all levels of government, including the work of the Guardia di Finanza. This is not the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, known as the "court of Ministers", whose function would be to give a political solution to the scandal. The solution chosen by Reviglio seems to want to put 'muted' the identification of political responsibility in the scandal. In this regard, Reviglio says cautiously that "the corruptions, albeit extensive, occurring represent isolated cases, limited and locked" (39).
A few days later, Reviglio decided to make public the contents of the "Vitali relationship" and hand over a copy to each of the members of parliament. Now you do hear the accusations from the opposition that he had wanted to for years, "gag" (40) to the press, covering the confidentiality of investigations with the contents of the report, in an attempt to hide the responsibility of "politicians are somehow involved in the story "(41).
2.1 The story Pecorelli

In the same month of November 1980, the judges come back to shed light on the events of "Coastal Northern Adriatic." Can be identified with greater accuracy, the overt and covert members of society, and trafficking of which it is a focal point of smuggling, became the protagonist.
The investigations, however, continue in a climate increasingly hostile and turned on. The same parliamentary commission, consisting of Reviglio, is hampered by its own president, Democrat Segnana, which delivers it to the scrutiny of three files containing the results of the checks carried out by the Guardia di Finanza on the companies involved in the scandal, with seven months of delay . To accusations of trying to cover up the parliamentary investigation, citing Segnana answers confused bureaucratic problems that would outweigh those files in a drawer (42).
In October of 1980, "L'Espresso" publishes a thick dossier that reconstructs the events of the scandal of the oils until then established. Domenico Sica, Deputy Public Prosecutor of Rome, in November, signing a search warrant of the editorial staff of "L'Espresso", with the general motivation to find "original documents or copies relating to investigations, however, exhausted on account of belonging to the body of the Guardia di Finanza "(43). Not only is searched drafting, but Sica also order the search of the homes of journalists and Modoli Calderoni, the authors of the dossier. This fact, in the light of the events of the following years is extremely serious and clearly designed to obstruct the free public information is reported in the newspapers as a news item of secondary importance (44).
During this time, rumors began to circulate about an engagement between the newspaper "OP" Mino Pecorelli and the scandal of the oils. The journalist, who was murdered March 20, 1979, in circumstances that were never found, had already denounced since 1978, coinciding with the beginning of the investigation by the prosecutor of Turin on "Isomar" Chiabotti of the existence of a clandestine handling of petroleum products (45). And just when he was preparing to launch an attack against certain politicians who seemed to know the involvement in the plots of the scandal, having already prepared a cover for "OP" dedicated to Andreotti, suddenly changed attitude. He was seen going to dinner with Vitalone, a man of power Andreotti, and Lo Prete. The "flurry of news" (46) threatened the journalist there was no trace. A few days later he was killed in an ambush.
Another question concerns the abnormal OP in the absence of any reference to Bisaglia. The Minister of Industry in the years of each other is systematically ignored. At the end of November 1980, the sister of journalist delivery to the magistrates a letter Pecorelli identifies the funding of the magazine by Bisaglia. This news creates a growing climate of suspicion that ends with his resignation as Minister of Bisaglia at the end of 1980, the only politician who pays somehow his involvement in the scandal.
2.2 The outcome of the investigation

In early December 1980, judges in Turin discover the involvement of society "SIPCA" Bruino (TO), owned by Musselli. Along with the latter taking the handcuffs for many entrepreneurs who obtained supplies of oil from its "SIPCA" officially earmarked as industrial uses tax-free, but unofficially making it back on the market in the form of gasoline (47). The judges of Lecco opens a new avenue of inquiry, identifying the oil companies Lecchesi the obligatory point of passage of all petroleum products illegally moved between Venice-Milan-Turin. A first estimate of the products smuggled speaks well of one hundred and twenty million pounds. Responsible for the result to be smuggled into the territory of Lecco Gissing and Galassi with the "Siplar" Airuno and "Garlate" Merate, with the collaboration of Musselli and Milani. (48)
On 18 December 1980 he was arrested in Rome, Judge Joseph, son of Raffaele (49). Raffaele Giudice, who became General of the Guardia di Finanza, had taken advantage of his position and knowledge in an effort to "give a future" (50) to the sons Francis and Joseph; the first was used in the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, guaranteeing a future as a manager to IRI, the second was begun his career as a tanker.
Shed light on the shell at the level of the top of the Guardia di Finanza, at the end of 1980, he begins to investigate the possible involvement in the case of the Directorate General of Customs, which coordinates the activities of UTIF throughout the national territory. The suspects are focused on the Gizzo and Ernesto Guido Tommasone (51), General Managers during the years of smuggling. The charge relates to the shell secured to the oil companies, through, in particular, the description of the characters of confidence of the smugglers in key positions to ensure the continuation of the infringing activity.
In March 1981, the newspapers speak of the funding of political figures Gissing in the PSI, PSDI, and DC (52).
On the 26th of the same month, will be heard by the judges of the Turin on. Andreotti (53) on the nomination of Judge Raffaele to the Commanding General of the Guardia di Finanza. They begin to take shape the contours of the story that led to this appointment, which took place in 1974.
Andreotti, Minister of Defense at the time of appointment, and Tanassi, Minister of Finance, were responsible for the choice of who should hold the position of vertex in the Guardia di Finanza, after hearing the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Defence and the Army. The name of the Judge was not indicated by their outgoing Commanding General, but he was chosen on the basis of alleged technical criteria, considered objectively unfounded by the Turin Court in its judgment of 23.12.1982.
The appointment was a surprise for everyone within the Guardia di Finanza and was attributed to political support well localized. It is (54) then that large sums of money from the accounts of oil companies, after having passed through the hands of Musselli, were allocated to political parties, with the aim of favoring the appointment of Gen. Judge. In the opinion of the Court of Turin was the appointment of Judge aims to provide coverage to the summit of smuggling oil (55).
On June 24, 1981, the judicial authority shall forward the records of Venice expertise to the Court of Turin. The judge in Turin, Mario Vaudano, based on the findings of the investigation conducted by the magistrates of Treviso and Venice, opens proceedings (proc. 349/81) against Mario Milani and other 184 defendants. The survey sections of the judiciary in Vicenza, Lecco and Busto Arsizio, are brought together in the same case 349/81 against the "supergroup Gissing - Galassi - Milani - Musselli - Boatti" (56).
Raffaele Giudice was sentenced at first instance December 23, 1982 by the Turin Court to "7 years in prison for conspiracy, smuggling, corruption, collusion with individuals in order to defraud the Finance (57)". In the same judgment are condemned as corrupt and Musselli Chiabotti (58).
In the spring of 83, are arrested in Spain, on application by the Examining Magistrate Vaudano, The Priest and Musselli, fugitives from the beginning of the investigation. During the same period has Vaudano the arrest of Light Freato.
In August of 1985, with a request for indictment proceedings 349/81, the courts of Turin paint a picture of smuggling, where the oil companies, the tax police and politicians have clearly defined roles. The oilmen organize and carry out smuggling; according to the IM Vaudano, "between 1975 and 1979, the tax evasion of excise duty on petroleum products was in varying degrees depending on the capabilities of the individual, systematic" (59). The Guardia di Finanza has the task of covering the oilmen in this their illegal activities. "From 1975 to 1979 the 'group' consists of Gissing - Galassi, from Musselli, by Milani and, gradually, from Boatti, Mancini, Mottola, Rivelli ... could count on the presence of officers colluding or complacent in controls and departments most important for the purposes of control over the activities of their companies "(60). "Politicians remains responsible for ensuring the appointment of the right men in the right place" (61). The judges themselves identify as "directors" of smuggling along with Musselli, Judge, The Priest, and Gissing (62). Clear Freato, is no longer only described as a money earner of the "great almoner" Musselli, but also as an active part of the smuggling, as a member of the "SOFIMI" of Musselli (63).
2.3 Convictions

On 30 April 1987 the Court of Turin terminating the proceeding 341/81 against the "supegruppo", condemning, in the first instance, a large part of the oil companies and members of the Finance Police investigated, but denying the quality of "directors" to men politicians involved. Among the most important defendants are convicted Judge, The Priest, Musselli, Morelli, Gissing, Galassi, Format and Milani. They are, however, absolved Freato (convicted of fraud for the activity of "Sipca", but the offense has lapsed), Mantovani, Bruno Palmiotti and Rolando Picchioni (men linked to former Minister Tanassi). The appeal from the judgment of July 17, 1989 reduces the penalties for Lo Prete and Musselli (acquitted of corruption). Freato is acquitted for the crime of fraud. The positions of Judge and Gissing are withdrawn.
The judges say, in the grounds of the judgment at first instance that "there was smuggling, but the so-called" political protection "have not been proven" (64). "What the web of complicity was much broader reveals a passage in the document (the grounds of the judgment, ed): that which referred to the money that Musselli and other oil companies delivered to an executive Agip to win 90,000 tons of diesel in full period of the energy crisis, to resell at a higher price. Bribes of which traces have been found, but that would end-following the reasoning of the judges - in the hands of people close to DC, PSI, PSDI to. condemn but as no evidence? "(65).
Here, in this regard, a comment by Giorgio Galli, based on careful analysis, carried out by him, on the changes that occurred in Italy in the years of the scandal:
"At this point, obviously not wanting to criminalize anyone, (...) is perhaps configurable this hypothesis: if the dominant and decisive role in a social group is measured by the ability to control a system and a position that would enable him to overcome crisis engulfing other vertices (from general to senior judges, to the great financiers) what happened in Italy in 1977-1982 tells us that this group is dominant and decisive in the Italian political class of government. Here is the capstone of the pyramid. If it is said that governments go, but the police remains in Italy can be said that the false puppeteers pass, but the real puppet masters are. "
3. Protagonists

3.1 Bruno Musselli

An accomplished entrepreneur, good social background diversifies its activities in different economic sectors. He became president of the "Pagib Coca-Cola," adviser "Innocents Saint Eustace" and "Euroboxes," producer of "metal caps and jars" (66). The "Euroboxes", with a turnover of almost 13 billion in 1979, bought the "Electrical Machinery Plant" that belonged to the ghost companies "Jagona Anstalt", which was a partner in the period between 1972 and 1976 the company "Castagnoli "one of the three companies who administered the property of Clear Freato (about three thousand acres of vineyards) in the Chianti region.
Relationships with Freato are not limited to "Euroboxes." Musselli was also a partner with the same Freato since 1963 in the "New Sports Package" of Camira Vicentino.
In the oil sector, he founded the "Bitumoil" in 1957. During the sixties, also enters the Union Governing Italian oil.
From the press is learned as of the close ties between Freato and Musselli are established when the "Bitumoil" begins to provide, in the early sixties, fuel oil to power Freato Enel and sits on the Board of Directors of Enel. The association between "Bitumoil" and Enel is the only time when Musselli establishes a business relationship with the State, without, however, assume positions of management of public resources.
The friendship between Musselli Freato and consolidates common in attendance Mr. Moro. During the seizure of the Christian Democrat leader Musselli says it is ready to "help with several billion possible payment of a ransom" (67). From wiretaps carried out by order of the court that, at all times during the kidnapping of Moro, it establishes a "direct line" (68) with the secretary of the Socialist Party, Bettino Craxi, which "shared efforts in favor of a 'humanitarian initiative '"(69) to obtain the release of Moro. A witness to the solidarity of Musselli Craxi and it appears that the oil gives the Secretary of the PSI an armored car. After the death of Moro, Musselli is among the councilors of the "Foundation Moro" and among its largest investor.
Opens in Puglia, Ostumi, a company to develop tourism, together with the well-known exponents of the PSI, Rino Formica and Thomas Fish.
He was appointed "Cavaliere del Lavoro", on the orders of the President of the Republic Leone (his name was given by the Minister Donat Cattin) and Consul General of Chile, before and after the Pinochet coup (70).
All this demonstrates the ability of Musselli establish good relationships with more political parties, depending on the needs of the moment. He says, "I do not have a political banner. (...) However, I still had the good fortune to have friendships policies in all sectors, but not for ideological issues. (...) I do it because my job is better to have friends than enemies "(71)
He was condemned by the judgment of 30 April 1987 the Court of Turin, in the first degree, 7 years and 300 million in fines. The judgment of the Court of Appeal of Turin on 17 July 1989 confirms the conviction for the crimes of smuggling, but acquitted him for lack of evidence by the prosecution of corruption.
3.2 Mario Milani

Considered, along with Musselli, one of the originators of the scam of the oils. He began his career as a "seller of plaster statuettes and cans of benzene" (72) in Rovigo. His rise was meteoric. He moved to Sardinia where he began to sell and trade in fuel oils and lubricants.
In 1974, he returned to Rovigo and greatly enriched with many powerful friends. Buy in Marghera, the "Coastal Northern Adriatic", one of the coastal deposits of crude oil and finished petroleum products the largest in Italy. The chronicles speak of the payment for the purchase of storage, a figure close to six billion dollars.
Among the many friendships, especially Milani receives, at his offices in Rovigo, ex-officers of the Guardia di Finanza, Gissing and Galassi, its partners in several business.
It is in 1978 the "year of grace for Milani". The press of the time describes his lifestyle:
"Jet staff villa in Albarella buildings in the heart of Rovigo, Ferrari and Mercedes for getting around the city, a stable of racehorses, apartments, on the Asiago ski lifts, a portion of the Alfa Romeo dealership in Rovigo of course the oil ... and so much money abroad. recently for his summer weekend he bought a castle in the whole area of Aberdeen, Scotland "(73).
There are no particular ties with members of the political Milani.
He was condemned by the judgment of 30 April 1987 the Court of Turin, in the first degree, 8 years and 300 million in fines. The judgment of the Court of Appeal of Turin on 17 July 1989 confirmed the conviction.
3.3 Raffaele Judge

Gen. Judge, from the army, took possession of the General Command of the Guardia di Finanza August 1, 1974 and shall remain in office until 1978. His appointment at the top of the yellow flames arouses much astonishment within the body and is attributed to his political friends. Among his political contacts there are the Hon. Andreotti, the Hon. Salvo Lima, a Sicilian faithful of these and like him, the Hon. Joy. Numerous testimonies speak of "collections" between the oil companies to sponsor his appointment as Commander in Chief (74). His name appears in the lists of subscribers to the P2 lodge, seized by the judiciary in Castiglion Fibocchi March 21, 1981, where he is also a payment of 500,000 pounds. The inscription, according to the admission of Judge himself, takes place in 1977, to appease the demands of his secretary Trisolini and Licio Gelli, industrial textile Arezzo and Grand Master of the Lodge. Prosecutors believe, however, that contacts with Gelli date back to the first half of the seventies (75). He was arrested in October 1980 on charges of conspiracy, corruption, collusion with private individuals to defraud the exchequer. Beyond the legal formulas, for prosecutors is one of the godfathers of the scandal, along with his Chief of Staff, Donato Lo Prete, and oil and Musselli Clear Freato. His relations with Musselli date back to May 1975, although Judge says he knew him only in 1977, at the home of The Priest, as the oil and knight of the work was very close to Mr. Judge Moro and wanted to meet him, "because I need your help (...) I had prepared a yellow book on the Guardia di Finanza. I suggested to expand and reform the body to make it more efficient against evasion. (...) Could only Moro help me. "(76) In him was found a large accumulation of wealth (of the order of hundreds of millions) during the period of his command (in front of annual fees of about $ 30 million) in various bank accounts, including foreign ones, and in real estate (77). It should be noted the similarity between the accumulation of Judge and that of his closest collaborators, The Priest and Trisolini, made ​​even closer analogy "with reference to the extent of possidenze bank, the contiguity number (as well as the presence in the same bank ) of their current accounts, the analogy of the modes of payment, the provenance of the money through non-commissioned officers of the secretariat of the command, the correspondence of the investment of funds in securities, the common seal of bearer passbooks, payable to all equally fancy names "(78).
Also implicated in the affair will be his son Joseph, a member of tankers Morelli and his wife Giuseppina Galluzzo, accused of bringing large sums of money in Switzerland.
He was condemned by the judgment of 30 April 1987 the Court of Turin, in the first degree, 3 years and 10 months and 30 million in fines. In the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Turin on 17 July 1989, the position has been removed.
3.4 Donato Lo Prete

Donato Lo Prete was head of the information service of the Guardia di Finanza from 28/10/68 to 10/08/72. In transit service information, at various times, a number of officers and NCOs related to The Priest and Judge, who will prove to be important characters in the story oils. Among them we remember Vincent Gissing, Giulio format, Salvatore Galassi, Arturo Billi.
Many of these have been assigned by Lo Prete to important functions within this service (in particular in the occult centers of Bologna, Milan, Como). Between 1972 and 1975, took command of the Central Nucleus of the Tax Police. The priest took the post of Chief of the 01/25/75, after that in August of 1974 Gen. judge had sacked Gen. island, citing reasons related to the practice that saw the Commanding General body authorized to choose his chief of staff.
Considered "Andreotti of proven faith" (79), was one of the centers of the fundamental protection of contraband; his deviant activities was not only linked to the large sums and the lavish gifts received in exchange for its hedging activities, as well as being a member of Musselli and Gissing in an oil company, the "Bitumoil Distributors." In 1978 he leaves the post of Chief of Staff to go to command the Legion of Lombardy.
Is under investigation by prosecutors in Treviso since 1979 and it is soon on the run. He was arrested in Spain in 1982.
He, too, was entered in P2 and showed numerous possidenze and a standard of living excessive in relation to its lawful revenue.
He was condemned by the judgment of 30 April 1987 the Court of Turin, in the first degree, 8 years and 200 million in fines. The judgment of the Court of Appeal of Turin on 17 July 1989 confirmed the first instance judgment but says the sentence "not executable", since extradition granted by Spain, was not about smuggling and tax offenses.
3.5 Joseph Trisolini

Trisolini is the adjutant of Gen. judge during his stay at the General Headquarters. While not covering any institutional role, it has great power within the body, due to the close relationship that ties him to the Judge and his wife to this, Josephine Galluzzo. His name is among those enrolled in the loggia diverted Gelli.
It is unanimously described as greedy and unscrupulous person; with the full agreement of the Judge, picks up and gets rid acts, and maintains contact with Gelli acts as an intermediary with the Judge and Lo Prete; maintains contact with officers and NCOs of the Corps a bit 'all over Italy and men of the service "I", which is closely controlled by Lo Prete.
Its network of relationships and knowledge is able to influence the actions of Judge and The Priest.
He died shortly before the explosion of the scandal in 1979.
3.6 Clear Freato

Clear Freato was for many years secretary of the deceased on. Aldo Moro. The judges who investigated the scandal oils indicate it as one of the directors, together with the oil and Musselli Judge Financial and Lo Prete, the vast space of fraud in the oil sector.
He is a member of Musselli in many commercial: "Euroboxes SpA" of Camira, "Packaging Sports Camira SpA", "Fagib SpA" Verona (bottler of Coca-Cola). Its implication in the scandal oils is given by the participation as a silent partner, the "Bitumoil." In this capacity, has made its own contribution to the unfolding and the expansion of the Bitumoil performing the task of ensuring a stable political and administrative level coverage for all the activities of smugglers Musselli, taking advantage of its privileged position of personal secretary Moro, taking an interest in the promotion of Eng. De Nile all'Utif Milan and for the appointment of Judge. Especially between 1976 and 1979 is found a considerable flow of money from Musselli for Freato, according to prosecutors that money would be the division of profits from the joint business. Freato justifies this step of money as a "return of the money that was Musselli since the entry into force of Law 159/76 on the. Moro told me to hand over a sum equal to Musselli about 300 million, which constitute a reserve fund existing at the UBS bank in Chiasso or Lugano (...) assembled in advance for any political needs "(80). Of this bill, which would justify the money as a loan to the current morotea, however, are not tracks.
The newspapers of the time described him thus:
"The detachment between an aide and advisor in the shadow curriculum Freato stands out clearly in the mid-sixties, when Moro with President of the Council, the Special Assistant has already accumulated the offices of government commissioner of the institution" Tre Venezie "(then dissolved with difficulty) and board member of Enel. once ascended to the top step, our exemplary character shines its light (...), but its role is not tarnished. Indeed, liaise more delicate, performs the tasks most embarrassing, media, recommend, select, plot, makes new friends, maybe with characters who never meet the great leader. (...) Continue to drive up the influence he enjoys taking care of public erase all traces of his presence: even the address in the phone book. Move it closer it becomes almost impossible. If you insist, he'll look for you, but only to a certain condition: we have not ever felt "(81).