MILAN That of Legnano-Lonate Pozzolo is one of the most influential and powerful ‘ndrangheta clubs in the Lombardy region, as well as among the most representative and authoritative ones. Hundreds of pages of investigations, minutes of hearings and above all now definitive sentences have given us the geographical outlines and the organizational chart. It is in this context that the profile of Enrico Barone, born in 1969 and originally from Vibo Valentia, sentenced to 11 years by the judges of the Busto Arsizio Court. Barone’s ties with the Calabrian ‘ndrine, wrote the investigating judge in the order dating back to 2023, “are solid and date back over the years”, as had already emerged in the investigation which defined him as “the frontman of Salvatore Mancuso (cl. ‘ 67)”.
The old sentences put Vincenzo Rispoli at the head of the ‘Ndrangheta club, but they also made it possible to reconstruct the events following the death of Carmelo “Nunzio” Novella, when some began to ask themselves the problem of the legitimation of the ‘Ndrangheta “locals”. created by the latter, the Legnano location was not included in the list of those in question “due to its now consolidated existence and operation”, the investigators write in the “Infinite” investigation. Furthermore, from the same investigation it would have emerged that the Legnano club itself was an expression of the Farao-Marincola gang, hegemonic in Ciro Marina, the latter locality from which many exponents of the “Lombard club” originate.
Another gang present in the area it is that of the Tripodi of Vibo Valentia, «operating in intimidating waysharbingers of a condition of subjugation and silence, typical of the mafia-style clan, active in Porto Salvo, province of Vibo Valentia, directly connected to the major families of the Vibo ndrangheta such as the Mancusos”, wrote the Court of Appeal of Catanzaro in the sentence which then became final in 2017. Furthermore, the same sentence recognized the top role of Nicola Tripodi who, according to what was stated by collaborators of justice including Francesco Oliverio, «had represented the Tripodi family during three meetings mafia events that took place in the Milan area in the years 2008/2010 at which members of the Mancuso and Tripodi families were present”.
Regarding Barone (class ’69) and the relationship with Mancuso, in the order the investigating judge had underlined how, in 2012, he was the godfather at the baptism of Salvatore Mancuso’s son and, on 29 May 2020, he will be contacted, for video call, from another son of Salvatore Mancuso, Giuseppe, who at that moment was enjoying a conversation (always remotely) with his father, detained in the Oristano prison and who, essentially, «”summons” Barone», wrote the investigating judge, “also participating in the payment of legal expenses”. «(…) soon I have to talk to someone who is in prison, via video call (…) he calls his son, says he wants to see me». In short, the opportunity to see and greet the boss who was currently locked up in prison in Oristano.
Furthermore, from the investigations of the Prosecutor’s Office it would have emerged that he was the Baron himself had distributed a series of “benefits” of various kinds «to subjects whose connection with members of the Legnano-Lonate Pozzolo premises, or the Tripodi gang of Vibo (in turn linked to the Mancusos) has been judicially ascertained several times, starting with the “Christmas basket” given to the wife of the alleged boss Vincenzo Rispoli, detained at the time. Furthermore, against Barone, the investigators have reconstructed the links with the Mancuso gang of Limbadi, starting – as already underlined – with Salvatore Mancuso, son of the deceased “Don Ciccio” and nephew of the “Supremo” Luigi Mancuso. In fact, with the sentence becoming irrevocable in 2016, Enrico Barone had already been convicted of the crime of usury, together with Mancuso, with the subsequent confiscation of a series of real estate units and apartments.
Instead, it was June 2020 when Barone met Giuseppe Mancuso again in his office. During the interview intercepted by the investigators, Barone explains his fears that some associate may have used his closeness and operations in favor of Mancuso to avoid problems with other criminals. «(…) that mine are not bad crimes, they are not crimes like murder, mafia and situations» explains Barone to Turi Mancuso’s son «they are all tax crimes, scams (…) for my part, don’t worry, I never brought him up on that story (…) I never did it… I knew”. For investigators this is a very significant environmental. Enrico Barone, in fact, excludes having ever used the Mancuso name to resolve “discussions” with other people linked to the tax crimes committed by him. ([email protected])
Corriere della Calabria is also on WhatsApp. Enough click here to subscribe to the channel and always be updated
