Action Targets Major Transnational Criminal Organization
WASHINGTON – The
U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated five key leaders of the
Camorra, one of Europe's largest criminal organizations, under its authority to
impose sanctions targeting transnational organized crime. The Camorra is involved
in money laundering, extortion, alien smuggling, robbery, blackmail,
kidnapping, political corruption, and counterfeiting around the world. It is one of four transnational criminal
organizations (TCOs) specifically identified by the President for sanctions
under E.O. 13581 (Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations),
along with the Brothers’ Circle, the Yakuza, and the Zetas. The Camorra leaders designated today are
Antonio Iovine, Michele Zagaria, Mario Caterino, Paolo Di Mauro, and Giuseppe
Dell’Aquila, all leaders or senior members of Camorra clans. Each of these five
individuals is designated for acting for or on behalf of, or providing support
to, the Camorra.
President Obama identified the Camorra as a significant TCO
in the Annex to E.O. 13581 on July 24, 2011, and charged the Treasury
Department with pursuing additional sanctions against its members and
supporters. Drawing on this authority, the Treasury Department is taking action
against the Camorra by identifying and designating these five key leaders. Today’s
action freezes any assets they may have within the jurisdiction of the United
States and prohibits any transactions with them by U.S. persons. These efforts
protect the U.S. financial system from transnational criminal organizations and
expose and disrupt the actions of individuals who are supporting or acting for
or on behalf of the Camorra.
“This action is designed to squeeze the Camorra out of the
global financial system and protect the U.S. financial system from laundering of
its criminal proceeds. We will continue
to pursue members and supporters of the Camorra, and today’s action against the
group’s leadership will help us cast an even larger net to expose their
financial facilitators and associates wherever they may operate,” said Under
Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.
The Camorra operates internationally and is involved in
serious criminal activity, such as counterfeiting and narcotics trafficking. In
March 2012 more than a billion dollars worth of Camorra assets reportedly were
seized by Italian law enforcement.
Mario Caterino is a Camorra clan leader, identified at the
time of his arrest in May 2011 as the second in command of the Casalesi clan.
He is serving a life sentence in Italy for conspiracy and murder.
Giuseppe Dell’Aquila is described as the head of the
Mallardo clan. He is believed to have played a key role in investing in and
managing Camorra holding companies. Arrested in Italy in May 2011, he is
serving a sentence for conspiracy, money laundering, robbery, and the receipt
of stolen goods.
Paolo di Mauro was the third most wanted fugitive in Italy
at the time of his arrest in Spain in January 2010. He is a leader of the
Contini clan and is currently serving a 17-year sentence for conspiracy and
murder.
Antonio Iovine is a leader of the Camorra’s Casalesi clan.
He was arrested in November 2010 and is serving a life sentence for conspiracy
and murder.
Michele Zagaria is a leader of the Casalesi clan and was
captured by Italian authorities in December 2011 after 15 years as a
fugitive. He is serving a life sentence
for conspiracy, murder, extortion, and robbery.
Identifying
Information:
CATERINO, Mario
DOB: 14 June 1957
POB: Casal di Principe, Italy
DELL’AQUILA, Giuseppe
AKA: PEPPE ‘O CIUCCIO
DOB: 20 March 1962
POB: Giugliano Campania, Italy
DI MAURO, Paolo
DOB: 19 October 1952
POB: Naples, Italy
IOVINE, Antonio
AKA: O’NINNO
DOB: 20 September 1964
POB: San Cipriano d’Aversa, Italy
ZAGARIA, Michele
AKA: CAPASTORTA
AKA: CAPOSTORTA
AKA: ISS
AKA: MANERA
AKA: ZIO
DOB: 21 May 1958
POB: San Cipriano d’Aversa, Italy
###