Editing Camorra (section)

===Camorra in the United Kingdom===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland] has had its brush with the Camorra. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_La_Torre Antonio La Torre] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen Aberdeen], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland] was the local ''"Don"'' of the Camorra. He is the brother of Camorra boss Augusto La Torre of the La Torre clan which had its base in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondragone Mondragone], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caserta Caserta]. The La Torre Clan's empire was worth hundreds of millions of euros. Antonio had several legitimate businesses in Aberdeen, whereas his brother Augusto had several illegal businesses there. He was convicted in Scotland and is awaiting extradition to Italy. Augusto would eventually become a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentito pentito] in January 2003, confessing to over 40 murders and his example would be followed by many of his men.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-35 [35]]</sup>

Two Aberdeen restaurateurs, Ciro Schiattarella and Michele Siciliano were extradited to Italy for their part in the '''"Aberdeen Camorra"'''. A fourth Scottish associate named Brandon Queen who made history by becoming the first foreign member of the Camorra is currently serving a jail sentence in the UK.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed citation needed]'']</sup> It has been reported that he also receives a monthly salary, legal assistance and protection, something only members of the Clans receive.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed citation needed]'']</sup> Neapolitan writer and expert on the Camorra, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Saviano Roberto Saviano], states that the Camorra has created a branch in Aberdeen and that it is the focus of the La Torre clan's British operations.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-36 [36]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sos270108_37-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-sos270108-37 [37]]</sup>

Saviano alleges that from the 1980s, Italian gangsters ran a network of lucrative businesses in the city as well as many illegal rackets. Saviano said Scotland's third city, with no history of organized crime, was seen as an attractive safe haven away from the violent inter-gang bloodletting that had engulfed their Neapolitan stronghold of Mondragone. Saviano claims that before the Italian clans arrived, Aberdeen didn't know how to exploit its resources for recreation and tourism. He further states that the Italians infused the city with economic energy, revitalised the tourist industry, inspired new import-export activities and injected new vigour in the real-estate sector. It thereby turned Aberdeen into a chic, elegant address for fine dining and important dealings.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sos270108_37-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-sos270108-37 [37]]</sup>

The hub of La Torre's UK empire, Pavarotti's restaurant, now under different ownership, was even feted at Italissima, a prestigious gastronomic fair held in Paris. The restaurant was even advertised on the city's local tourist guides. Saviano further claims to have gone to Aberdeen and worked in a restaurant run by Antonio La Torre. The Camorristas operated a system known as ''"scratch"'' where they used to step up illegal activities if their legitimate ventures were struggling. If cash was short they had counterfeit notes printed; if capital was needed in a hurry, they sold bogus treasury bonds. They annihilated the competition through extortions and imported merchandise tax-free. The Camorra were able to run all sort of deals because the local police had virtually no experience in dealing with organized crime. Although they broke the law, there were never any guns or serious violence, due to lack of rivals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sos270108_37-2">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-sos270108-37 [37]]</sup>

However, the suggestion that the city remains in the grip of mobsters has been strongly denied by leaders of the 300 strong Italian community in Aberdeen. Moreover, Giuseppe Baldini, the Italian government's vice-consul in Aberdeen denies that the Camorra still maintains its presence in Aberdeen.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sos270108_37-3">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra#cite_note-sos270108-37 [37]]</sup>