Michele Pantaleone
Encyclopedia
Michele Pantaleone was a respected journalist and expert on the Sicilian
Mafia
and one of the first to shed light on the links between organized crime and political power.
Pantaleone was born in Villalba
, a village in a poor region of Sicily
, where most people lived of subsistence agriculture, which was also the home town of the prominent Mafia
boss Calogero Vizzini
. Pantaleone came from a relatively well off family and was trained as a land surveyor
. He became the local secretary of the Italian Socialist Party
(Partito Socialista Italiano, PSI) in Villalba.
Pantaleone was from a local Villalba family of professionals whose republican traditions opposed the power of Mafia boss Don Calò Vizzini, who was a staunch catholic as well. (Vizzini’s brothers, Giovanni and Giuseppe, both became priests). His house was opposite of that of Vizzini on the other side of the main square of Villalba. Vizzini once in vain proposed Pantaleone to marry his niece Raimunda. Pantaleone declined. He knew all to well what dangerous obligations that would involve.
In 1944, after the Allied occupation of Sicily, Pantaleone, heading a peasant cooperative, and Vizzini disputed the lease of the large estate Miccichè. Pantaleone used his leverage in the left wing press and his contacts with left wing political parties. In return Vizzini arranged for vandalizing the crops on Pantaleone family’s land. There was even a failed attempt on Pantaleone’s life. Ironically, he was the vice-mayor of Villalba, while Vizzini was mayor. Both were appointed by the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories (AMGOT).
. The communists, worried that Pantaleone would lead them in trouble, contacted Vizzini who assured them there would be no trouble as long as they did not touch on local issues. Li Causi spoke to the landless labourers and denounced the unjust exploitation by the Mafia.
But when Li Causi started to talk about how the peasants were being deceived by ‘a powerful leaseholder’ – a thinly disguised reference to Vizzini – the Mafia boss hurled: It’s a lie. Pandemonium broke out and the rally ended in a shoot out which left 18 people wounded including Li Causi and Pantaleone. Six months later Vizzini acquired the lease for the Miccichè estate.
(Partito Comunista Italiano, PCI). He worked for L’Ora an independent left wing newspaper in Palermo
close to the PCI. Other contributors were the writer Leonardo Sciascia
and Mauro De Mauro
, who mysteriously disappeared in 1970.
He published several books about the Mafia in the 1960s and acquired a small but dedicated audience. Pantaleone was one of the first to shed light on the links between Cosa Nostra and the Christian Democrat party (DC – Democrazia Cristiana). His articles and books caused several libel court cases by DC-politicians such as Bernardo Mattarella
and Giovanni Gioia. His strong views made him a controversial person also among his supporters, such as the communist mayor of Villalba, Luigi Lumia.
"He was the first one to provide the Italian public opinion with a lot of material on organized crime," said Italian journalist, Saverio Lodato, who covers the Mafia. "Thanks to his work, the Mafia became a national issue." Pantaleone appeared in films about the Mafia, such as Il sasso in bocca (1969), directed by Giuseppe Ferrara
and Il caso Mattei (The Mattei Affair) (1972), directed by Francesco Rosi
.
in the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. According to his version published in "Mafia e politica 1943-1962" a US Army airplane had flown over Villalba
on the day of the invasion and dropped a yellow silk foulard marked with a black L (indicating Luciano). Two days later, three American tanks rolled into Villalba after driving thirty miles through enemy territory. Mafia boss Calogero Vizzini
climbed aboard and spent the next six days travelling through western Sicily organizing support for the advancing American troops. The Mafia protected the roads from snipers, arranged enthusiastic welcomes for the advancing troops, and provided guides through the confusing mountain terrain.
Most serious historians are inclined to dismiss the legend of Luciano's foulard nowadays. When confronted with scepticism about his account by a journalist of La Repubblica
in 2000, Pantaleone maintained his version as an eye witness to the events.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
and one of the first to shed light on the links between organized crime and political power.
Pantaleone was born in Villalba
Villalba
-Places:Italy*Villalba, Sicily, a comune in the Province of CaltanissettaPuerto Rico*Villalba, Puerto Rico, a municipio in the Commonwealth of Puerto RicoSpain*Collado Villalba, a municipio in the Community of Madrid...
, a village in a poor region of Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, where most people lived of subsistence agriculture, which was also the home town of the prominent Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
boss Calogero Vizzini
Calogero Vizzini
Calogero Don Calò Vizzini was a historical Mafia boss of Villalba in the Province of Caltanissetta, Sicily. Vizzini was considered to be one of the most influential and legendary Mafia bosses of Sicily after World War II until his death in 1954...
. Pantaleone came from a relatively well off family and was trained as a land surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
. He became the local secretary of the Italian Socialist Party
Italian Socialist Party
The Italian Socialist Party was a socialist and later social-democratic political party in Italy founded in Genoa in 1892.Once the dominant leftist party in Italy, it was eclipsed in status by the Italian Communist Party following World War II...
(Partito Socialista Italiano, PSI) in Villalba.
Opposing Don Calò
In 1944, after the Allied occupation of Sicily, Pantaleone, heading a peasant cooperative, and Vizzini disputed the lease of the large estate Miccichè. Pantaleone used his leverage in the left wing press and his contacts with left wing political parties. In return Vizzini arranged for vandalizing the crops on Pantaleone family’s land. There was even a failed attempt on Pantaleone’s life. Ironically, he was the vice-mayor of Villalba, while Vizzini was mayor. Both were appointed by the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories (AMGOT).
The Villalba attack
The socialist Pantaleone organised an election rally of the Blocco del popolo (The Popular Front) in Sicily in Villalba on September 16, 1944, inviting the Palermo based communist leader Girolamo Li CausiGirolamo Li Causi
Girolamo Li Causi was a Sicilian Communist leader. As a Sicilian and communist he was actively involved in the post war struggle against the Mafia...
. The communists, worried that Pantaleone would lead them in trouble, contacted Vizzini who assured them there would be no trouble as long as they did not touch on local issues. Li Causi spoke to the landless labourers and denounced the unjust exploitation by the Mafia.
But when Li Causi started to talk about how the peasants were being deceived by ‘a powerful leaseholder’ – a thinly disguised reference to Vizzini – the Mafia boss hurled: It’s a lie. Pandemonium broke out and the rally ended in a shoot out which left 18 people wounded including Li Causi and Pantaleone. Six months later Vizzini acquired the lease for the Miccichè estate.
Antimafia journalist
Pantaleone would move on to become a prominent Antimafia politician and journalist. He was elected as regional deputy in the Sicilian parliament in 1947-1951 and again in 1967-1971 as an independent candidate on the list of the Italian Communist PartyItalian Communist Party
The Italian Communist Party was a communist political party in Italy.The PCI was founded as Communist Party of Italy on 21 January 1921 in Livorno, by seceding from the Italian Socialist Party . Amadeo Bordiga and Antonio Gramsci led the split. Outlawed during the Fascist regime, the party played...
(Partito Comunista Italiano, PCI). He worked for L’Ora an independent left wing newspaper in Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
close to the PCI. Other contributors were the writer Leonardo Sciascia
Leonardo Sciascia
Leonardo Sciascia was an Italian writer, novelist, essayist, playwright and politician. Some of his works have been made into films, including Open Doors and Il giorno della civetta .- Biography :Sciascia was born in Racalmuto, Sicily...
and Mauro De Mauro
Mauro De Mauro
Mauro De Mauro was an Italian journalist. He disappeared in September 1970 and his body has not yet been found. His disappearance and probable death remains one of the unsolved mysteries in Italian history.Several explanations for his disappearance are current...
, who mysteriously disappeared in 1970.
He published several books about the Mafia in the 1960s and acquired a small but dedicated audience. Pantaleone was one of the first to shed light on the links between Cosa Nostra and the Christian Democrat party (DC – Democrazia Cristiana). His articles and books caused several libel court cases by DC-politicians such as Bernardo Mattarella
Bernardo Mattarella
Bernardo Mattarella was an Italian politician for the Christian Democrat party . He has been Minister of Italy several times...
and Giovanni Gioia. His strong views made him a controversial person also among his supporters, such as the communist mayor of Villalba, Luigi Lumia.
"He was the first one to provide the Italian public opinion with a lot of material on organized crime," said Italian journalist, Saverio Lodato, who covers the Mafia. "Thanks to his work, the Mafia became a national issue." Pantaleone appeared in films about the Mafia, such as Il sasso in bocca (1969), directed by Giuseppe Ferrara
Giuseppe Ferrara
Giuseppe Ferrara is an Italian film director and screenwriter. His 1987 film The Moro Affair was entered into the 37th Berlin International Film Festival, where Gian Maria Volonté won the Silver Bear for Best Actor....
and Il caso Mattei (The Mattei Affair) (1972), directed by Francesco Rosi
Francesco Rosi
Francesco Rosi is an Italian film director. He is the father of actress Carolina Rosi.-Biography:After studying Law, but hoping to study film, Rosi entered the industry as an assistant to Luchino Visconti on La Terra trema...
.
Luciano legend
Pantaleone is seen as the source of the legend about the role of Lucky LucianoLucky Luciano
Charlie "Lucky" Luciano was an Italian mobster born in Sicily. Luciano is considered the father of modern organized crime in the United States for splitting New York City into five different Mafia crime families and the establishment of the first commission...
in the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. According to his version published in "Mafia e politica 1943-1962" a US Army airplane had flown over Villalba
Villalba
-Places:Italy*Villalba, Sicily, a comune in the Province of CaltanissettaPuerto Rico*Villalba, Puerto Rico, a municipio in the Commonwealth of Puerto RicoSpain*Collado Villalba, a municipio in the Community of Madrid...
on the day of the invasion and dropped a yellow silk foulard marked with a black L (indicating Luciano). Two days later, three American tanks rolled into Villalba after driving thirty miles through enemy territory. Mafia boss Calogero Vizzini
Calogero Vizzini
Calogero Don Calò Vizzini was a historical Mafia boss of Villalba in the Province of Caltanissetta, Sicily. Vizzini was considered to be one of the most influential and legendary Mafia bosses of Sicily after World War II until his death in 1954...
climbed aboard and spent the next six days travelling through western Sicily organizing support for the advancing American troops. The Mafia protected the roads from snipers, arranged enthusiastic welcomes for the advancing troops, and provided guides through the confusing mountain terrain.
Most serious historians are inclined to dismiss the legend of Luciano's foulard nowadays. When confronted with scepticism about his account by a journalist of La Repubblica
La Repubblica
la Repubblica is an Italian daily general-interest newspaper. Founded in 1976 in Rome by the journalist Eugenio Scalfari, as of 2008 is the second largest circulation newspaper, behind the Corriere della Sera.-Foundation:...
in 2000, Pantaleone maintained his version as an eye witness to the events.
Publications
- "Mafia e politica 1943-1962", Turin: Giulio Einaudi editore, 1962 (English version: "The Mafia and Politics", London: Chatto & Windus, 1966)
- "Mafia e droga", Turin: Giulio Einaudi Editore, 1966
- "Antimafia: occasione mancata", Turin: Giulio Einaudi Editore, 1969
- "L'industria del potere", Bologna: Cappelli, 1972
- "L’antimafia in tribunale", Centro editoriale del mezzogiorno, 1976
- "A cavallo della tigre", Flaccovio, 1984
- "Mafia e antimafia", Napels: Tullio Pironti Editore, 1992
- "Omertà di stato", Napels: Tullio Pironti Editore, 1993
Articles
Poi arrivò Lucky Luciano e anche Napoli fu Cosa Nostra, article by Michele Pantaleone in I Siciliani, March 1983Biography
- Grasso, Mario 1994. "Michele Pantaleone personaggio scomodo. Una vita contro la mafia e la malagiustizia", Prova d'Autore: ISBN 88-861-4006-1
External links
- 'The Society of Friends', by Luigi Barzini, The New York Review of Books, September 22, 1966, review of The Mafia and Politics, by Michele Pantaleone.
- Hoodlums & History, Time Magazine, August 5, 1966, review of The Mafia and Politics, by Michele Pantaleone. Obituary in Italian by ANSA