Meet the mafia boss who also volunteers to save lives at the weekend indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxCelebrities

Meet the mafia boss who also volunteers to save lives at the weekend

Michael DayNov 26, 2014 Even the most resourceful PR agent would have their work cut out improving the profile of ‘ndrangheta, the fearsome mafia group that runs half of Europe’s cocaine trade. But if such a task were attempted, the ‘ndrangheta boss Giuseppe Puglisi might be asked to head the campaign. This week the 53-year-old gangster hit the headlines for all the right reasons after it emerged he had worked tirelessly at weekends as a Red Cross volunteer. Arriving with his badge and a copy of the bible, Puglisi was qualified to ride on the organisation’s ambulances and, according to Corriere Della Sera, saved lives with a defibrillator. Colleagues at the Red Cross centre in Cermenate, near Lecco, in north Italy didn’t have a bad word to say about him. He was a “good man” and “never demonstrated any signs of malice”, said other Red Cross personnel. Following mass arrests this month that saw the mobster-volunteer rounded up with 39 other ‘ndrangheta suspects, the Red Cross’s Cermenate accountant Danilo Fasola defended the decision to use Puglisi, who it emerged has past convictions for mafia and drugs offences. “But what are we supposed to do, live with a culture of suspicion?” Mr Fasola said. “With us he behaved very well.” More: Meet baby-faced Little Nicolas - The man who tricked the whole of SpainKeep reading...Show less

Newsmax bans Lara Logan after she goes on QAnon-like rant

The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson

Kaley Cuoco says people should give flight attendants tips sparking debate

Please log in or register to upvote this article

Top 100

The ' I never meant to break your heart' TikTok trend explained

tiktokviraltiktok trendexplainertiktok7m

How likely is it that Boris Johnson could be prime minister again

Boris Johnsonboris johnsontory leadership contesttory leadership racetory leaderTory leadershiptory leadershipConservativesconservative partyConservative Partyconservative leadership raceconservativesBoris JohnsonOct 21, 2022

The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnsonthe rockblack adamwweDwayne JohnsonOct 21, 2022

Kanye West claims Tarantino stole his idea for Django Unchained

kanye westkanye westquentin tarantinojamie foxx9m

Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip

flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022

Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face

madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022

Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance

elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022

Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'

lgbt+transgenderlgbt+jon stewartapple tvarkansasus newsnewsOct 11, 2022

Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt

just stop oilOct 19, 2022

Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper

wedding cakeOct 12, 2022

Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos

Love IslandOct 11, 2022

Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'

steven seagalOct 10, 2022

Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West

lizzoOct 10, 2022

A lettuce just outlasted Liz Truss' stint as prime minister

Liz TrussOct 20, 2022The Conversation (0)