Barletta bankruptcy lawyer and husband placed under house arrest

An Italian court has placed a Barletta bankruptcy lawyer and her husband under house arrest following an investigation into an alleged scheme to siphon nearly 200mila euro from seven separate bankruptcy proceedings to pay off personal debts, according to Telenorba and La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno.

Arrests and Financial Seizure Executed in Bari and Bat

Investigating judge Domenico Zeno of the Court of Trani issued the custody orders executed by the Guardia di Finanza against eight individuals. The primary targets, bankruptcy trustee Antonella Daleno, 58, and her husband Salvatore “Titti” Liso, 61, face accusations of embezzlement, corruption for acts contrary to official duties, ideological falsehood in public documents, fraudulent transfer of valuables, and fraudulent evasion of tax payments. Financial police also executed a preventive seizure order for over 500mila euro in equivalent assets belonging to the couple.

The operation involved coordinated searches across Bari and the Barletta-Andria-Trani province. Investigators identified luxury watches, jewelry, and a motorcycle that prosecutors allege were hidden to evade impending asset seizures. While Daleno and her husband were ordered to house arrest, other professionals face strict professional suspensions.

Professional Suspensions and Alleged Collusion Methods

According to La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, a Bari tax lawyer named Francesco Romanello Pomes received a six-month suspension from practicing law. A Barletta notary, Francesca Paola Napoletano, received a three-month professional suspension. An employee of the revenue collection agency, Agenzia delle Entrate-Riscossione, was suspended from public office for six months, while three other suspects face residency bans within the province.

Investigators state that Daleno diverted approximately 200mila euro directly from bank accounts tied to seven bankruptcy estates under her legal oversight. To protect family assets from creditor claims and tax authorities, the group allegedly orchestrated fictitious real estate transactions. These included simulating the sale of a residential property to Daleno’s mother, who subsequently donated it to the lawyer’s granddaughters.

Notary Helps Route Apartment Proceeds Through Professional Account

A second mortgaged apartment was reportedly cleared using a family loan and assistance from the revenue collection agency employee, alongside the collaboration of the local notary. Prosecutors allege the notary permitted the transaction proceeds to bypass Daleno’s personal accounts by routing them through a professional account, while entering an incorrect tax code on the public deed to circumvent mandatory controls.