ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the story of Adriano Zampini, who was arrested on 2 March 1983 and later charged with corruption, which is a perfect illustration of the activities of the broker, a crucial figure in the world of corrupt exchange. It describes political corruption as a hidden and illegal exchange. These two characteristics had a relevant impact on the nature of corrupt transactions, and the networks of people involved in them. The relationships between political corruption and covert powers emerge with particular relevance in the vicissitudes of the masonic lodge Propaganda 2, or P2. Since corruption is punishable by law and the relative transactions must of necessity remain secret, this kind of intermediary must possess certain abilities, which can be generically termed skills in illegality. Illegal brokers trade mainly privileged information on the occasions for illegal exchange and on the possible partners. Illegal brokers, corrupt politicians, and their clients often meet each other in hidden places.
