The Criminal Chamber upheld the processings of Matías Morla and sisters Ana and Rita Maradona in the case over the alleged illegal appropriation of the late footballer Diego Armando Maradona's brands. The ruling rejected defense appeals and points out irregularities in Sattvica S.A. Dalma Maradona expressed pain at seeing her aunts on the other side of the process.
The 7th Chamber of the National Appeals Court in Criminal and Correctional Matters upheld the processings issued in mid-September against Matías Morla, his brother-in-law Maximiliano Pomargo, notary Sandra Iampolsky, Sergio Garmendia, and sisters Ana and Rita Maradona. The 25-page ruling, signed by judges Juan Esteban Cicciaro, Rodolfo Pociello Argerich, and Ricardo Matías Pinto, dismissed defense arguments on lack of evidence and file deficiencies.
The judges deemed Sattvica S.A., headed by Morla until September 2022, a 'corporate shell' with no economic activity, per reports from the General Inspectorate of Justice. In February 2021, the courts ordered Morla to transfer Maradona's image rights to his heirs, but the companies ended up ceded to Claudia and Rita Maradona. Pomargo served as alternate director and resigned after Morla's departure.
Morla, Pomargo, and Garmendia face charges as co-authors of fraud and fraudulent administration, while Ana, Rita, and Iampolsky as necessary participants. The court rejected the notion that Maradona intended to favor his sisters over his daughters, as it contradicts succession law: Dalma, Gianinna, Jana, Diego Maradona Junior, and Dieguito Fernando retain their legitimate share of the inheritance.
The probe stemmed from a complaint by Dalma and Gianinna Maradona, aiming to clarify the undue exploitation of the 'Ten's commercial rights. Dalma stated: 'It hurts to see them on the other side.' The Justice also ordered embargoes in the case.
