US officials tolerated mafias for their efficiency and deniability.

Evidence

In the Italian government, U.S. officials have also had a partner agreeable to most military requests. What’s more, the Italian government has usually been available to take the blame for anything that might go wrong, such as uncomfortable revelations of ties with organized crime. And plenty of American officials, like Ambassador Raab, seem to have been “philosophical” about working with the Camorra, the Cosa Nostra, and other mafias. Given the crime families’ success in cutting costs, providing stability and protection, avoiding bureaucratic, legal, and political hurdles, and quickly getting concrete on the ground, many U.S. officials have been happy to ignore evidence of mafia involvement. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 374

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 374