Un eroe borghese

In 1974, Giorgio Ambrosoli is appointed liquidator of the Italian private bank Forty. He is described as fair and honest, devoted to his wife Annalori and their three children as he begins his work. He promptly starts the inquiry into the bank's finances.

Ambrosoli starts uncovering a tangled web of illicit activities tied to Sindona, including bogus companies and flawed documentation. The scope of the corruption appears vast and extends beyond Italy. The investigation sets him on a collision course with powerful interests.

Sindona has fled to New York and, from the Hotel Pierre, issues orders to move funds and launder money. The mafia is described as supporting him, spreading his influence across borders. Ambrosoli’s task becomes international in scope.

Silvio Novembre, a Marshal of the Guardia di Finanza, shifts from collaborator to ally, helping Ambrosoli navigate obstacles. Their partnership strengthens the liquidator as he presses forward. Ambrosoli gains a trusted partner in the investigation.

The internal environment of the bank resists Ambrosoli's probe, and the Bank of Italy does not provide full support. The atmosphere remains hostile as the investigation deepens. Ambrosoli presses on despite mounting pressure.

As wrongdoings surface on a vast scale, Ambrosoli compiles a report that reads like a real indictment. He refuses to alter the conclusions, convinced the State must act on solid evidence. The document signals a definitive stance against corruption.

The probe uncovers faces of corrupt politicians and top protectors of Sindona. The network’s reach reveals how finance and politics intertwine. Ambrosoli’s work threatens deeply entrenched interests.

In 1978, Ambrosoli is invited to testify before the New York Grand Jury, expanding the legal battle beyond Italy. He returns to Milan with renewed momentum. The international dimension of the case becomes a central focus.

Back in Milan, Sindona’s judicial standing in the United States becomes compromised. The mafia begins to desert him as the case tightens its grip. Ambrosoli continues his work amid renewed pressure.

Threats and pressure against Ambrosoli escalate, including telephone calls and various blandishments. He remains steadfast, continuing to gather evidence despite the danger. The targeting grows more personal and aggressive.

Ambrosoli presents his report, effectively an indictment against the misdeeds uncovered. He refuses to soften the conclusions, staying true to the evidence. The moment solidifies his reputation as a tenacious defender of the law.

The investigation strains Ambrosoli’s family life; his wife is alarmed and the children rarely see him. Nevertheless, his ally Novembre remains a steady source of support. Duty to the case begins to eclipse personal life.

Returning home one evening, Ambrosoli is killed by Joseph Aricò, an Italian-American hitman. His family is away at Lake Como at the time, and Ambrosoli had no escort. The assassination marks a brutal end to his relentless pursuit of justice.