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Analysis of the Cass. pen. Judgment, Section V, No. 16115 of 2024: Fraudulent Bankruptcy and General Intent

The Court of Cassation, with judgment No. 16115 of 2024, pronounced on a case of fraudulent bankruptcy, addressing crucial issues regarding the subjective element of the crime and the criminal liability of directors of bankrupt companies. The decision retraces the established principles of jurisprudence in this area and clarifies the legal consequences of unlawful conduct within the context of bankruptcy proceedings.

The Case and the Charges

The appellant, A.A., director of the company VT CARNI Srl, was convicted of fraudulent bankruptcy, both for misappropriation and for documentary fraud. The Court of Appeal of Milan had upheld the conviction, highlighting how the director had made unjustified payments to family members just before the declaration of bankruptcy. This behavior fueled the presumption of intent, not requiring direct proof of insolvency.

The Court of Appeal established that for the integration of the crime of fraudulent bankruptcy, the conscious intent to allocate company resources for purposes unrelated to the social activity is sufficient.

The Legal Aspects of the Judgment

  • Subjective Element of the Crime: The Court reiterated that general intent is sufficient to constitute fraudulent bankruptcy, without the need to demonstrate awareness of insolvency.
  • Documentary Bankruptcy: The Judges deemed that the lack of detailed accounting records hindered the reconstruction of the company's assets, constituting general intent.
  • Continuity of Crimes: It was confirmed that conduct related to different bankruptcy proceedings could be brought under a single continuity assessment.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 16115 of 2024 constitutes an important reference for the matter of fraudulent bankruptcy, clarifying how general intent can also be inferred from behaviors that, at first glance, might seem isolated or insignificant. Directors must be aware of the responsibilities related to the management of company resources and the legal consequences of their actions, especially in contexts of economic crisis. This ruling by the Court of Cassation, therefore, offers food for thought for both legal professionals and entrepreneurs on the necessity of transparent and responsible management of corporate activities.