Fraudulent bankruptcy: commentary on judgment Cass. Pen. no. 39139 of 2023

The very recent judgment of the Court of Cassation, no. 39139 of 2023, offers important food for thought on the issue of fraudulent bankruptcy. In this article, we will analyze the main grounds for appeal presented by the defendant A.A. and the Court's arguments, paying particular attention to the legal implications found in the decision.

The context of the judgment

The case in question concerns A.A., convicted of fraudulent and simple bankruptcy offenses, in relation to acts of misappropriation of funds during the management of a company. The Court of Appeal of Cagliari had partially reformed the first-instance judgment, reducing the sentence and declaring that proceedings should not be initiated for some of the contested offenses. However, the appellant filed eighteen grounds of appeal, asserting the incorrectness of the assessments made by the lower courts.

Main grounds for appeal and legal findings

Contributions for future capital increases do not grant the right to repayment during the company's lifetime, unless the operation has been resolved within a set timeframe.

One of the crucial points raised by the appellant concerns the treatment of payments made for future capital increases. The defense argued that these sums could not be considered part of the assets of the bankrupt company and, therefore, could not constitute the offense of fraudulent bankruptcy. However, the Court recalled established case law, according to which these payments, if not accompanied by a resolution for capital increase, remain outside the company's assets and do not give rise to enforceable claims.

• The Court confirmed the exclusion of preferential bankruptcy, highlighting that the repayment of sums is not legitimate in the absence of a resolution for capital increase.
• The necessity of a specific purpose for the payments was reiterated, which, in the absence of a deadline, cannot be repaid during the company's lifetime.

Conclusions

In conclusion, judgment Cass. Pen. no. 39139 of 2023 represents an important affirmation on the subject of fraudulent bankruptcy, clarifying the limits and conditions for the repayment of sums paid towards capital. The Court reiterated that, to avoid the commission of bankruptcy offenses, it is essential to comply with legal regulations concerning share capital and creditors' rights. The decision therefore offers a useful insight for all legal professionals and entrepreneurs, drawing attention to the need for prudent and transparent management of company resources.