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Fraudulent Bankruptcy: Commentary on the Judgment of the Court of Cassation, Criminal Section V, No. 37159 of 2024

The judgment of the Court of Cassation, Criminal Section V, No. 37159 of October 9, 2024, represents an important step in the context of fraudulent bankruptcy offenses. In this decision, the Court upheld the conviction of two directors of a bankrupt company, emphasizing the importance of responsibility in corporate management and the duty to protect the interests of creditors.

Case Facts

The case in question involved A.A. and B.B., who served as sole director and de facto director of LUBIAN Srl, a company declared bankrupt. The Court of Appeal of Milan had confirmed the first-instance conviction for fraudulent bankruptcy, highlighting their responsibility in the misappropriation of assets belonging to the bankrupt company. In particular, it was established that A.A. had signed a notarial deed for the transfer of assets without payment, while B.B. was described as the "factotum" of another individual, C.C., considered the dominus of the company.

Legal Principles and Court's Reasoning

The ruling reiterates that the responsibility for fraudulent bankruptcy is linked not only to the act of misappropriation of assets but also to the conscious participation in the fraudulent operation.

The Court rejected the appeals presented by the two defendants, considering that the arguments raised were insufficient to demonstrate an error in the assessment of the facts by the lower courts. In particular, the first ground of appeal by A.A. was deemed unfounded, as the Court clarified that the assessment of responsibility is within the competence of the trial judge and not the Court of Cassation. The second ground, concerning mitigating circumstances, was declared inadmissible, as A.A. did not provide new elements to support his thesis.

Similarly, the Court dismissed B.B.'s appeal, emphasizing how the subjective element of the offense of documentary fraudulent bankruptcy had been adequately demonstrated through the evidence collected. The Court referred to previous case law to highlight how the concealment of accounting records constitutes a behavior independent of merely keeping them, requiring specific intent aimed at harming creditors.

Implications and Final Considerations

This ruling highlights some fundamental aspects of the responsibility of directors in companies. Directors must be aware of their actions and the consequences that may arise from unlawful behaviors. The Court of Cassation reiterated that the principle of responsibility requires directors to act in the best interest of the company and its creditors, avoiding behaviors that may harm such interests.

  • Importance of awareness in business decisions.
  • Reflection on the balance between corporate management and creditor protection.
  • Need for proper accounting practices and transparency in management.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the judgment No. 37159 of 2024 represents an important call to order for company directors, highlighting the legal consequences of their actions and the centrality of responsibility in corporate management. The Court of Cassation has proven to be rigorous in protecting the interests of creditors and punishing fraudulent behavior, thereby contributing to ensuring the stability of the economic system.