International Criminal Defence By IR Global Team

Following an introduction via IR Global, we approached Luca Antonetta in Turin, Italy, to assist us with the defence of a Usury prosecution in Genoa. He worked with another colleague who practiced in Crime, and then introduced us to yet another colleague in Milan, who is one of the most prominent Criminal Attorneys in Italy.

With this team, and our staff in Sydney, we put together the evidence. The judges allowed me as the client’s attorney in Australia, to prepare an expert report on similar crimes and regulations in Australia. He accepted my sworn expert evidence, and I was not required for cross-examination.

The facts of the case were that our client, an Australian citizen, who had advanced money to a relative of his wife to assist in a divorce settlement in Genoa. The interest on the loan was a fixed amount, and there was a date set by which they payment of the capital and interest had to be repaid. The loan was repaid early so that the underlying interest rate increased, and was greater than the prescribed amount allowed under Italian Law. There was a company involved in the relatives’ transactions, and this company was placed in liquidation.

The liquidator complained to the Italian Police about the loan and a prosecution was launched with our client facing a possible custodial sentence being imposed.

After five hearings in 2017, a not guilty verdict was entered and the Prosecutors did not appeal the outcome. The appeal period has now expired and the Prosecutor has indicated that he did not intend to appeal.

This was a true collaboration bought about IR Global’s connections, and a great result was obtained for the client.

Ross Koffel

Koffels Solicitors & Barristers, Sydney, Australia

February 2018