Le indagini dei servizi segreti

Nell’estate del 1909, i servizi segreti ricevettero delle denunce da parte di banche e proprietari di negozi per la gran quantità di valuta falsa immessa. Inizialmente le indagini non portarono a dei risultati concreti. Poi una svolta si ebbe quando  William Flynn per indagare si recò a Pittston, in Pennsylvania. Si trattava di una città carbonifera molto sporca e molto violenta. Vi era la presenza di molti italiani e il flusso di denaro falso era consistente. L’attività investigativa premiò i solerti inquirenti, infatti fu individuato un siciliano di nome Sam Locino. Costui, persona di dubbia reputazione, venne posto sotto sorveglianza. Appena si ebbero le prove che Sam era in possesso di banconote false fu fatta irruzione nella sua abitazione e fu colto in castagna. I sospetti degli agenti diventarono prove schiaccianti contro di lui se fossero portate in tribunale, infatti fu trovato in possesso di diversi dollari falsi.  A quel punto fu arrestato e messo dentro una cella in attesa di un processo. Locino era un furbo che non intendeva farsi sbattere in cella per anni.  

di Fabio Fabiano

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The secret service’s investigations

In the summer of 1909, the secret services received complaints from banks and shop owners for the large amount of counterfeit currency injected. Initially the investigations did not lead to concrete results. Then a turning point came when William Flynn went to Pittston, Pennsylvania to investigate. It was a very dirty and very violent coal city. There was the presence of many Italians and the flow of counterfeit money was substantial. The investigative activity rewarded the diligent investigators, in fact a Sicilian named Sam Locino was identified. This person, a person of dubious reputation, was placed under surveillance. As soon as there was evidence that Sam was in possession of counterfeit banknotes he was broken into his home and was caught in chestnut. The agents’ suspicions became overwhelming evidence against him if brought to court, in fact he was found in possession of several fake dollars. At that point he was arrested and placed in a cell awaiting trial. Locino was a smart guy who didn’t intend to be thrown into his cell for years.

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