‘Slandered’

Rocco Minnella was shocked to hear Italian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him and his two brothers.

The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday that Minnella was one of eight Canadians sought by the Italian police for alleged links to the global mafia network ‘Ndrangheta.

Seven of the eight men named are from Thunder Bay, while the other Canadian named is from Toronto.

“I have no knowledge of this ‘Ndrangheta, whatever it’s called,” Minnella told Dougall Media reporters Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t know how they got my name in there.”

Italian police picked up 31 suspects in Italy Tuesday, mostly in the southern region of Siderno,

Calabria, the home base of the ‘Ndrangheta and the area Minnella emigrated from when he was 10 years old.

Minnella said he knows of a handful of Rocco Minnellas in Siderno and has no idea how he could have been confused in the situation.

“My name has been slandered and I don’t like that,” he said. “I can’t believe they can just print your name out…they accuse you of something that you’re not and there’s no charges. I don’t know what’s happening.”

Minnella has owned and operated La Paloma Beauty Salon in the Arthur Street Market Place, formerly the Thunder Bay Mall, for almost 40 years with his brothers. He said he’s worked for everything he has and wants his name cleared; unfortunately he has to spend money to hire a lawyer in order set the record straight.

He says he has no criminal history.

“We’ve been in the hair business and nothing else,” he said. “I would never put my family, my friends or my business into this situation.”