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Commentary on the Judgment of the Supreme Court Criminal Section No. 40752 of 2024: The Liability of the Administrator in Fraudulent Bankruptcy

Judgment No. 40752 of 2024 by the Supreme Court provides important clarifications on the issue of criminal liability of company administrators in case of bankruptcy. In particular, the case in question concerns A.A., an administrator of a company, convicted for the irregular and incomplete maintenance of accounting records, in the face of a declared bankruptcy. The Court of Appeal of Florence had confirmed the defendant's liability, despite his claim of having relied on the accountant for accounting management.

The Role of the Administrator and Negligence in Maintaining Records

The Court reiterated a fundamental principle: the administrator is always responsible for the proper maintenance of accounting records, even if they rely on external professionals. In this context, reference is made to previous case law establishing that simple bankruptcy is punishable even on the grounds of negligence. Reliance on a professional does not exempt the administrator from their duties of oversight and control.

The administrator cannot disregard accounting; otherwise, they incur criminal liability.

The Appellant's Criticisms and the Assessment of Negligence

A.A. appealed, arguing that the Court of Appeal did not adequately consider his good faith and the fact that he had attempted to remedy the accounting errors afterwards. However, the Supreme Court noted that a mere request for help from another professional, after discovering irregularities, was not enough to eliminate the disvalue of the initial conduct. Criminal liability is not limited to the ascertainment of damages but extends to the oversight and correctness of accounting management.

  • Personal liability of the administrator
  • Negligence in maintaining records
  • Duty of oversight even over external professionals

Conclusions

Judgment No. 40752 of 2024 emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility of administrators in the corporate field, especially in crisis situations such as bankruptcy. The case law is clear: reliance on third parties does not relieve the burden of oversight and control. The principles established by the Supreme Court can serve as a warning for administrators to proactively engage in the management of accounting records and the supervision of business operations, thus ensuring the transparency and correctness necessary for the protection of creditors.