Andrea Delmastro, the Italian Undersecretary of Justice, recently made headlines after adamantly stating, "The mafia is a mountain of shit," in response to allegations concerning his past business ties with individuals connected to mafia families. His comments came during a referendum meeting in Catanzaro, where he was addressing questions from journalists about the rumors circulating due to a report by the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. Delmastro defended his political integrity and emphasized his extensive security detail, which serves as evidence of the threats he has faced from mafia groups throughout his career.

The controversy arises from revelations that Delmastro owned shares in a restaurant in Rome where the daughter of a mafia boss associated with the Senese clan was also a stakeholder. This link has fueled criticism from rival political factions, particularly from leftist parties who accuse him of compromising positions and relationships. In light of public scrutiny, Delmastro has taken steps to distance himself from the restaurant by selling his shares and asserting that he has always combated mafia influences in Italy.