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Commentary on the Sentence of the Court of Cassation, Criminal Section VI, No. 35366 of 2024: Embezzlement and Qualification as a Public Official

The sentence No. 35366 of 2024 from the Court of Cassation offers important insights into the nature of public services, particularly regarding the activities of Poste Italiane Spa and the qualification of its employees as public officials. In the case at hand, A.A. was convicted of embezzlement following the misappropriation of funds from postal vouchers, an action that raised significant legal questions.

Embezzlement in the Sentence

The Court confirmed that A.A., as an employee in internal operations, was responsible for embezzlement for having falsified package delivery records, misappropriating approximately 3,500 euros. The relevance of this case is twofold: on one hand, it highlights the responsibility of those managing public funds, and on the other, it clarifies the qualification of postal services as public.

The public nature of the activities carried out by Poste Italiane Spa has been reaffirmed, despite its transformation into a joint-stock company.

Publicity and Qualification as a Public Official

One of the central points of A.A.'s appeal concerned his qualification as "a person in charge of a public service." The Court clarified that employees of Poste Italiane fall into this category due to their role in ensuring services of public interest. Their activity is not merely executive but requires a degree of discretion that justifies their qualification. This aspect is crucial for understanding how Italian law treats employees of public entities even when they operate in a privatized context.

  • The sentence reiterates that postal activity is of public interest.
  • Poste Italiane has the obligation to ensure universal service to all citizens.
  • Employees have significant legal responsibilities by virtue of their qualification.

Conclusions

The sentence No. 35366 of 2024 from the Court of Cassation not only confirms the conviction for embezzlement but also provides a clear view on the nature of postal services and the role of their employees. It emphasizes that, even in a context of privatization, the functions performed by Poste Italiane and its employees maintain a clear public connotation, necessary to ensure the trust of citizens in essential services. In an era where the boundary between public and private is increasingly blurred, this decision represents an important legal reference.