21 Facts About Michele Navarra

Michele Navarra was a qualified physician and headed the Mafia family from the town of Corleone in Sicily.

Michele Navarra studied at the University of Palermo, first engineering and later medicine, getting his degree in 1929.

Michele Navarra served in the Royal Italian Army until 1942, reaching the rank of captain.

Michele Navarra became the boss of Corleone in 1943, succeeding Calogero Lo Bue.

Michele Navarra was the old-fashioned type of Mafia boss: genteel, well-dressed, but ferocious.

Michele Navarra did not murder people himself but delegated the work.

Michele Navarra became the official medical adviser to the Ferrovie dello Stato, which was offered to him when, in public competition, he was the only candidate.

Michele Navarra used these to start a trucking company, which was vital to some of his operations involving the theft of livestock.

In 1946 Michele Navarra became the top doctor at the hospital in Corleone after his predecessor, Dr Nicolosi, was conveniently murdered.

Michele Navarra used his position as director of the hospital to increase his power.

Michele Navarra issued certificates to the effect that they were blind or short-sighted and therefore had to be assisted in the act of voting in order to enable Navarra's men to accompany them into the polling booth and check their ballot.

When Leggio murdered the Socialist trade union leader Placido Rizzotto in March 1948, Michele Navarra made sure to dispose of the only witness, Giuseppe Letizia, an 11-year-old shepherd.

Michele Navarra's father took the shocked boy to the hospital run by Navarra.

Michele Navarra was blamed by the press for killing the boy and thus eliminating a witness.

Michele Navarra was arrested for his involvement in the murder, but not convicted.

Michele Navarra was sent into compulsory internal exile in Gioiosa Ionica, province of Reggio Calabria, for five years.

Michele Navarra represented the vested interests of those opposed to the dam, while Leggio favoured the construction of the dam.

Michele Navarra expected to gain a monopoly of haulage work in connection with its construction.

Leggio was invited by Michele Navarra to meet him at an estate but instead, he found fifteen armed men there.

Michele Navarra's funeral took place two days later in San Martino, the main church of Corleone.

Michele Navarra left his widow a few plots of land and part of a house.