Shadow Kingdom: God’s Banker I 8. The Train Station
Episode Release Date: April 28, 2025
Host: Nicolo Minoni
Produced by: Crooked Media & Campside Media

Introduction to Roberto Calvi and His Mysterious Death

Shadow Kingdom delves deep into the enigmatic case of Roberto Calvi, often referred to as "God's Banker," whose death remains one of Italy's most perplexing mysteries. Calvi, a high-ranking official at the Vatican Bank, became embroiled in a web of financial scandals and criminal activities. On June 17, 1982, Calvi was found dead, hanging from Blackfriars Bridge in London—a death officially ruled as suicide by British police. However, suspicions of foul play have persisted for decades.

Reopening the Case: New Evidence Emerges

Forty years after Calvi's death, lawyer Nicolo Minoni receives a crucial tip that reignites the investigation into Calvi's demise. Forensic expert Angela Gallup had previously compiled a compelling report suggesting that Calvi's death was murder, not suicide. Despite initial resistance, this report gains traction within the Italian justice system, leading to the indictment of five individuals suspected of orchestrating Calvi’s assassination.

Nicolo Minoni [02:05]: "The original verdict of suicide returned by a London inquest was probably wrong."

The 2005 Trial: Unraveling the Conspiracy

During the trial, prosecutors posited that the Mafia, in collaboration with the P2 Masons, conspired to eliminate Calvi due to his failure to launder money effectively. Among the five defendants were Silvano Vitor, a smuggler, and Flavio Carboni, known as "the fixer." These individuals were allegedly tasked with gaining Calvi's trust and luring him to London, where a hitman would stage his death as a suicide.

Minoni meticulously combed through hundreds of hours of trial recordings, seeking inconsistencies and overlooked evidence. Despite the prosecution's efforts to entangle the Mafia, Masons, Church, and Italian CIA in the conspiracy, the lack of concrete evidence led to all defendants being acquitted.

Nicolo Minoni [05:59]: "After 25 years of waiting for the truth for Roberto Calvi, we're really no closer to knowing how Roberto Calvi came to be found hanging here."

Discovering the Bologna Train Station Bombing Theory

Amidst the chaotic trial proceedings, a pivotal clue emerged involving the Bologna train station bombing—a devastating terrorist attack that claimed 87 lives in 1980. This incident, previously considered unrelated, began to intertwine with Calvi's story. Calvi's son, Carlo, hinted at connections between the Vatican Bank's illicit activities and the bombing, suggesting that funds may have been diverted to support terrorist endeavors.

Philip Willen [15:54]: "Ceruti was a kind of fixer and assistant to Gelli over a number of years."

Minoni uncovered that Liccio Gelli, the head of the clandestine P2 Masons, had orchestrated the bombing to finance his neo-fascist ambitions. Furthermore, documents revealed that Marco Ceruti, a key figure in the financial transactions, had moved substantial sums of money potentially linked to the bombing, implicating him in the conspiracy.

Nicolo Minoni [19:27]: "For him, that's after the break. Shadow Kingdom is brought to you by Lumen."

Interviews and Hidden Connections

In his quest for the truth, Minoni engaged with Philip Willen, a renowned expert on Calvi, who had previously interviewed Liccio Gelli multiple times. Willen revealed unsettling aspects of Gelli's involvement and the elusive Marco Ceruti, who fled to Brazil to evade testimony. Despite attempts to reach Ceruti, Minoni faced persistent dead-ends, further complicating the investigation.

Philip Willen [22:32]: "Yes. His reaction, I think, would tend to confirm suspicions that there was something nasty and dangerous underlying it."

The Role of 'Dietrologia' in Italian Society

A significant theme explored in this episode is dietrologia, a uniquely Italian propensity for conspiracy theorizing in the absence of clear evidence. Minoni reflects on how this cultural phenomenon shapes public perception and complicates the pursuit of truth.

Mario Platero [32:30]: "Behindology, which is the theory of what's behind something. And you don't have proofs. You can only use your imagination."

Minoni acknowledges the thin line between speculative theories and substantiated facts, especially in a nation where political unrest and organized crime often blur the lines of legality and morality.

Final Reflections and Unresolved Mysteries

Despite uncovering a plausible connection between Calvi's death and the Bologna bombing, Minoni remains introspective about the elusive nature of conclusive evidence. The intertwining of powerful organizations like the Mafia and the P2 Masons, coupled with the lack of cooperation from key figures like Ceruti, leaves the case shrouded in ambiguity.

Nicolo Minoni [35:14]: "But it helps me understand Italian stuff a little better today, I guess, if that makes sense."

Minoni's journey underscores the complexities of investigating historical crimes intertwined with political and criminal undertones. The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of the enduring impact of dietrologia on both personal and societal levels, highlighting the challenges in discerning truth from speculation.

Conclusion

Shadow Kingdom: God’s Banker I 8. The Train Station offers a comprehensive exploration of Roberto Calvi’s death, blending meticulous investigative journalism with a deep dive into Italy’s turbulent political landscape of the 70s and 80s. Through interviews, archival research, and personal reflections, Nicolo Minoni presents a compelling narrative that challenges established verdicts and invites listeners to reconsider the intricate web of power, money, and conspiracy behind one of Italy's most enduring mysteries.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicolo Minoni [02:05]: "The original verdict of suicide returned by a London inquest was probably wrong."

• Philip Willen [05:59]: "After 25 years of waiting for the truth for Roberto Calvi, we're really no closer to knowing how Roberto Calvi came to be found hanging here."

• Philip Willen [15:54]: "Ceruti was a kind of fixer and assistant to Gelli over a number of years."

• Philip Willen [22:32]: "Yes. His reaction, I think, would tend to confirm suspicions that there was something nasty and dangerous underlying it."

• Mario Platero [32:30]: "Behindology, which is the theory of what's behind something. And you don't have proofs. You can only use your imagination."

Additional Information:

For those interested in exploring more about Shadow Kingdom or accessing the series in Italian, you can subscribe to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Early access to the full season is available by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.