Vito Ciancimino

Who was Vito Ciancimino?

Vito Alfio Ciancimino was an Italian politician close to the Mafia leadership, he became notorious for enriching himself and his associates by corruptly granting planning permission. An abrasive personality, he served briefly as mayor of Palermo, Sicily as a Christian Democrat. Ciancimino was close to Mafia boss and perennial fugitive Bernardo Provenzano, but regarded Salvatore Riina as irrational. In the aftermath of 90's Mafia bomb outrages, Ciancimino was contacted by Carabinieri Colonel Mario Mori, the content of the discussions is disputed. Ciancimino is said to have alleged a list of demands from 'boss of bosses' Salvatore Riina as his price for halting attacks was passed on. Charges were brought against Mori, who maintained there had been no list, his contacts with Ciancimino were aimed at combating the Mafia, and Ciancimino had disclosed little beyond implicitly admitting he knew Mafia members.