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Fraudulent Bankruptcy: Commentary on the Judgment of the Court of Cassation, Criminal Section V, No. 45230 of 2021

The judgment of the Court of Cassation No. 45230 of 2021 represents an important point of reference in the matter of fraudulent bankruptcy, clarifying various aspects related to the application of procedural regulations and the conditions for the integration of the crime. The Court confirmed the liability of M. F. for the misappropriation of assets from her sole proprietorship, Evelin Boutique, and addressed crucial issues regarding absence and intent in bankruptcy.

The Issue of Notification and Absence in Criminal Proceedings

The first ground of appeal presented by M. F.'s defense concerned the alleged failure to notify the conclusion of the preliminary investigations. However, the Court deemed this ground inadmissible, emphasizing that the defense had not raised the issue in the previous stages of the proceedings. This aspect highlights the importance of timeliness and specificity in raising procedural defects.

Regulation of Absence and Default

Another crucial point addressed in the judgment concerns the declaration of the defendant's absence. The Court clarified that an incorrect application of the regulation concerning absence does not result in nullity unless there has been a violation of the defense rights provided for the absent defendant. The judgment refers to the relevant regulations, such as Law No. 67 of April 28, 2014, highlighting how the incorrect qualification of absence did not prejudice the defense.

The Court of Cassation confirmed that it is not necessary to demonstrate a specific intent to harm creditors to integrate the crime of fraudulent bankruptcy due to misappropriation.

The Evidence of the Crime of Fraudulent Bankruptcy

The third ground of appeal concerned the timing of the misappropriation of assets. The defense argued that the misappropriation occurred before the opening of the bankruptcy proceedings. However, the Court reiterated that the existence of the crime of fraudulent bankruptcy due to misappropriation does not depend on the awareness of the state of insolvency, but on the intention to alter the asset allocation of the goods. Jurisprudence emphasizes that intent is constituted by the conscious will to remove assets from the guarantee for creditors.

  • The Court confirmed the defendant's liability for the misappropriation of assets valued at over 113,000 euros.
  • The inherently fraudulent nature of the conduct was highlighted, leading to the conviction for fraudulent bankruptcy.
  • The judgment clarifies that the misappropriated assets cannot be considered insignificant for the purposes of criminal liability.

Conclusions

The judgment No. 45230 of 2021 of the Court of Cassation provides a clear and detailed view regarding the crime of fraudulent bankruptcy and the related criminal procedures. It highlights the importance of the correct application of procedural norms and clarifies that, to integrate the crime of fraudulent bankruptcy, it is sufficient to demonstrate the intention to misappropriate assets, without the need to prove a specific intent to harm creditors. This approach reflects a rigorous application of the law and a clear protection of asset guarantees in favor of creditors.