Members of the Sicilian Mafia may have been awarded contracts for construction projects for America's Cup qualifying races.

Sicilian magistrates are investigating the claims after Ciccio Pace, the alleged head of the Cosa Nostra in Trapani, was arrested on extortion charges. Five local businesspeople were arrested as well.

The competition's organisers were not involved in awarding the contracts.

Investigators are looking into the firing of an avid anti-Mafia bureaucrat from Trapani by Interior Ministry Undersecretary Antonio D'Ali. D'Ali is accused by opponents of having close ties with the Mafia.

The qualifying race was held in Trapani Sept. 28 through Oct. 9. The construction in question revolves around the revamping of an historic port in the city.