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Michele Greco (Ciaculli, May 12, 1924 – Rome, February 13, 2008) was a member of the Sicilian Mafia, previously incarcerated for multiple murders. His nickname was "il Papa" (The Pope) because of his ability to mediate between different Mafia families.〔 (Ascesa, omicidi e sconfitte tutti i segreti del "Papa" ), ''La Repubblica'', February 13, 2008〕 Greco was the head of the Sicilian Mafia Commission. ==Rise to power== Michele Greco was part of the powerful Greco Mafia clan that ruled both in his native Ciaculli and in Croceverde Giardini, two suburbs close to Palermo. He took over the mandamento of Croceverde Giardini after his father Giuseppe Greco, "Piddu u tinenti", died. He was a cousin of Salvatore "Ciaschiteddu" Greco, the first "secretary" of the first Sicilian Mafia Commission that was formed somewhere in 1958. He and his brother Salvatore Greco operated low profile and were able to enter into relationships with businessmen, politicians, magistrates and law enforcement officials through their membership of Masonic lodges.〔Schneider & Schneider, ''Reversible Destiny'', p. 77-78〕 Salvatore Greco's nickname was "The Senator" for his political connections.〔Stille, ''Excellent Cadavers'', p. 80〕 He was the kingmaker of Christian Democrat politicians such as Giovanni Gioia, Vito Ciancimino and Giuseppe Insalaco.〔Caruso, ''Da cosa nasce cosa'', p. 487〕 Many of those notables were invited by "The Pope" and "The Senator" to wine and dine and take part in hunting parties at his estate La Favarella. The estate was also used as a refuge for mafiosi on the run, and to set up a heroin laboratory.〔Stille, ''Excellent Cadavers'', pp. 187-88〕〔Dickie, ''Cosa Nostra'', p. 209〕 Greco, along with other Mafia families around Palermo, controlled a large portion of the water supply. He was financing the digging of his wells with government money. According to the law, landowners were only allowed to have wells for their own private use and all excess water belonged to the public. However, the city of Palermo issued regular contracts to buy water from Greco and other Mafia bosses for a full third of the water supply. During the summer, when water was particularly scarce and badly needed for irrigation, Greco sold water at exorbitant prices. The perpetual shortage of water was maintained by the Mafia and their friends in city hall.〔Umberto Santino, (L'acqua rubata. Dalla mafia alle multinazionali ), Centro Siciliano di Documentazione "Giuseppe Impastato"〕〔Stille, ''Excellent Cadavers'', p. 62〕 Another money making scheme was collecting subsidies from the European Community (EC) for destroying citrus crops he had never grown. The EC, in order to limit production, paid farmers to destroy part of their production. Greco paid EC inspectors to falsify the records.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Michele Greco」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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