Italian inquiry hears Rossi was killed during attempted mafia intimidation

An Italian parliamentary inquiry has heard new allegations that David Rossi, a communications director at Monte dei Paschi di Siena, was killed after men accidentally dropped him from a window while trying to frighten him into silence. The claims, if substantiated, would challenge the original findings that Rossi died by suicide and could shed light on the bank’s dealings during a period of scandal and financial distress.

Two unnamed witnesses, both in prison, told the commission that former bank chairman Giuseppe Mussari arranged the intimidation because Rossi was preparing to tell authorities about alleged money transfers for the Grande Aracri clan, part of the ’Ndrangheta. They said Rossi was dangled from a window about 60 feet above the ground and fell; the commission chair also cited an alleged role for a figure linked to Florence football circles. Rossi died on 6 March 2013, and his family has maintained he was murdered, despite two earlier magistrates’ inquiries ruling suicide. Mussari has called the claims defamatory and said he would take legal action.