One European company that’s weathering the downturn just fine
European companies like ING, Philips, and Corus may be cutting staff as the financial crisis ravages the global economy, but things seem to be looking up for one of Europe’s oldest companies: the Italian mafia. The mob’s revenues surged 40 percent to about $167 billion in 2008, according to a new study. Veteran mafia watchers ...
European companies like ING, Philips, and Corus may be cutting staff as the financial crisis ravages the global economy, but things seem to be looking up for one of Europe's oldest companies: the Italian mafia.
European companies like ING, Philips, and Corus may be cutting staff as the financial crisis ravages the global economy, but things seem to be looking up for one of Europe’s oldest companies: the Italian mafia.
The mob’s revenues surged 40 percent to about $167 billion in 2008, according to a new study. Veteran mafia watchers are not surprised:
“During a crisis, people lower their guard,” Roberto Saviano, who wrote the bestseller “Gomorrah” about the Camorra crime bosses, said in an interview. “Studies show the criminal market never suffers during a crisis. I’m convinced that this crisis is bringing huge advantages to criminal syndicates.”
Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating
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