Mutolo explained the context of the 1992 massacres of the politician Salvo Lima and the magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. He was the first mafioso who spoke about the connections between Cosa Nostra and Italian politicians. ""The 'normal circuit' for all problems that needed attention in Rome was: Ignazio Salvo, the honourable Salvo Lima, and senator Giulio Andreotti"," according to Mutolo. The Salvo cousins were the main contact to 'adjust' trials against mafiosi, such as the Maxi Trial of the mid-1980s. ""When the trial began, it was obvious to all 'men of honour' that it was a political trial"," Mutolo explained. ""We all unanimously believed that the trial verdict would be a conviction, because the government had to demonstrate to public opinion within Italy and abroad... that it could strike a hard blow to Cosa Nostra"." However, they were assured that the appeals would modify the sentence.