Shadow Kingdom: God’s Banker I 7. Discovery – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In Episode 7, titled "Discovery," of the "Shadow Kingdom" series by Crooked Media and Campside Media, host Niccolo Minoni delves deeper into the mysterious death of Roberto Calvi, infamously known as "God’s Banker." This episode uncovers new layers of the investigation, challenging the initial conclusion of suicide and bringing forward compelling evidence that suggests foul play.

The Final Day of Roberto Calvi

The episode opens with firsthand accounts from Silvano Vitor, a former smuggler who played a crucial role in Calvi's last days.

• [00:24] Niccolo Minoni: "The last day of Roberto Calvi's life started with a shave. For the majority of his 63 years, he'd sported an ever-present dark mustache."

Calvi's attempt to alter his appearance was evident on the morning of June 17, 1982. Vitor recounts finding Calvi shaving his mustache in the hotel bathroom.

• [00:49] Silvano Vitor: "With the door open, he says, I'm shaving my mustache. This way I'm less recognizable."
• [01:09] Silvano Vitor: "And I remember him saying, in my entire life, this is the first time I ever shaved my mustache."

Vitor interprets Calvi's actions as a sign of deep fear and desperation to hide his identity.

• [01:20] Silvano Vitor: "That he just was so scared of being seen and he would do anything to hide his appearance."

Calvi’s Descent into Isolation

Throughout the day, Calvi remained confined to his cramped Chelsea hotel room. He entrusted Vitor with money to run errands, maintaining minimal contact through a special knock mannerism.

Meanwhile, back in Milan, the Banco Ambrosiano board ousted Calvi, stripping him of control. This public demotion, combined with the tragic suicide of his secretary, compounded Calvi’s despair.

• [02:22] Silvano Vitor: "Roberto Calvi, presidente del Banco Ambrosiano, learned..."
• [02:36] Silvano Vitor: "There he lost it completely with the news about his secretary."

Calvi’s fixer, Flavio Carboni, failed to support him emotionally, leading to a tense standoff in the hotel.

• [04:19] Silvano Vitor: "I told Flavio, aren't you coming? And he said, no, I'm not coming. I just don't want to meet Calvi."

Instead of aiding Calvi, Carboni and Vitor prioritized spending time with their girlfriends, leaving Calvi alone in his distress.

Calvi's Disappearance and Death

As evening turned into night, Vitor attempted to contact Calvi, only to find the room empty the next morning.

• [05:19] Silvano Vitor: "With the pause between. And nothing. No answer."

Vitor’s growing concern led him to leave for Austria, unaware of Calvi's tragic fate.

Discovery of the Body

At 7:30 am on June 18, a postal clerk discovered Calvi's body hanging from Blackfriars Bridge in London. The scene was puzzling: Calvi was found with his valuables intact, suggesting no robbery occurred.

• [12:07] News Reporter: "62 year old señor Calvi was found dangling from an orange rope here. But perhaps the key to Calvi's death is to be found here on the River Thames."

The British police swiftly concluded it was a suicide, citing the lack of signs of struggle or foul play.

• [12:56] News Reporter: "In my opinion, there was no suggestion of foul play. No marks of resistance. There were none."

Italian Investigation and Initial Skepticism

Upon learning of Calvi's death, Italian authorities, aware of his connections to the secret society P2 and potential Mafia ties, suspected murder. Niccolo Minoni travels to Rome to interview Antonio Kornakia, an Italian counterintelligence officer involved in the initial investigation.

• [15:43] Antonio Kornakia: "I was at counterespionage when the whole Calvi affair broke out..."

Kornakia expresses frustration with the British City of London police's inadequate investigation, highlighting procedural errors such as untying the rope knot, which could provide critical forensic evidence.

• [16:25] Antonio Kornakia: "This is not real police."

Despite providing detailed information about Calvi’s connections, Kornakia faced disbelief and dismissiveness from British counterparts.

Reopening the Case: Challenges and Developments

A significant development occurred when Britain's High Court overturned the initial suicide verdict, ordering a new hearing due to emerging evidence that contradicted the original findings.

• [21:27] News Reporter: "On the first day of the new inquest... the jury... returned an open verdict."

Niccolo Minoni visits Blackfriars Bridge to personally assess the scene, contemplating the logistical challenges surrounding Calvi's death.

• [21:37] Silvano Vitor: "He was a desperate man and he found some rope hanging along a dock in the Thames."

Angela Gallup’s Forensic Investigation

The episode introduces Angela Gallup, a forensic scientist brought in by Calvi’s family to re-examine the case. Gallup's meticulous analysis challenges the suicide narrative.

• [24:33] Angela Gallup: "So I remember saying, yes, absolutely, we'll have a look at it."

Gallup revisits the death scene and conducts a series of reenactments to determine the plausibility of Calvi's movements leading to his death. Through these experiments, Gallup uncovers inconsistencies:

• [28:53] Angela Gallup: "Even if you then subjected them to being submerged in swirling water, you still found this stuff."

The absence of paint flecks on Calvi's shoes, despite retracing his possible routes, suggests that he did not navigate the scaffolding himself.

• [29:03] Niccolo Minoni: "If Calvi had actually walked on the scaffolding on his own, he should have had microscopic flecks of paint in his shoes. But guess what? They weren't there."

Further investigation into Calvi's underwear revealed silty stains indicative of being seated in a boat, pointing towards a potential murder scenario involving transportation via water.

• [31:52] Angela Gallup: "It made me think about boats."

Conclusion and Future Directions

Gallup concludes that Calvi was almost certainly murdered, driven by the initial investigative oversights that dismissed vital evidence. Her findings reignite the quest for the truth behind Calvi’s death, setting the stage for future revelations.

• [34:23] Angela Gallup: "He said that Cerutti was not in Italy and he wouldn't be coming back."

As the episode wraps, Niccolo teases the next installment, hinting at the arrest of one of Italy’s most wanted fugitives connected to Calvi’s murder.

Notable Quotes

• Silvano Vitor [01:20]: "That he just was so scared of being seen and he would do anything to hide his appearance."
• Antonio Kornakia [16:25]: "This is not real police."
• Angela Gallup [29:25]: "Even if you then subjected them to being submerged in swirling water, you still found this stuff."
• Angela Gallup [32:09]: "It made me think about boats."

Key Insights and Implications

• Investigative Flaws: The initial British investigation lacked thoroughness, overlooking critical forensic evidence that could have revealed the true nature of Calvi’s death.

• Forensic Breakthroughs: Gallup’s meticulous re-examination provides a compelling argument against the suicide theory, pointing towards a calculated murder involving advanced planning and possible collusion.

• Ongoing Mystery: Despite decades passing, the mystery remains unresolved, with lingering questions about the true perpetrators and their motives.

Conclusion

Episode 7 of "Shadow Kingdom" masterfully intertwines personal testimonies, forensic analysis, and investigative shortcomings to reframe the narrative surrounding Roberto Calvi’s death. By challenging the established suicide verdict and presenting credible evidence of foul play, the episode heightens the intrigue and sets the foundation for an in-depth exploration of the shadowy forces at play in the continuing mystery of God’s Banker.