Team to protect quake funds from Mafia

ROME, April 20 (UPI) -- A team of Mafia investigators will help prevent the Mafia from interfering with reconstruction funds for the Abruzzo earthquake, officials said.

Officials said they have no indication the mob will seek to profit from reconstruction efforts, but they are concerned, ANSA reported Monday. The April 6 earthquake devastated the regional capital of L'Aqila and nearby towns.

"There is no alarm yet, but legitimate concern," said Italy's anti-Mafia chief, Piero Grasso. "We want to make sure that we don't see looting of state coffers."

The four-member team will reportedly help block the Mafia from setting up front companies to get its hands on rebuilding funds, as the organization did after a 1980 quake.

''We want to cut out the need for trials. Prevention is the key,'' Grasso was quoted as saying.