Slain Melbourne lawyer Joe ‘Pino’ Acquaro’s sons carve up after feud
MURDERED lawyer Joe “Pino’’ Acquaro has left the lion’s share of his multi-million dollar estate to his three estranged sons despite a bitter family feud.
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MURDERED lawyer Joe “Pino’’ Acquaro has left the lion’s share of his multi-million dollar estate to his three estranged sons despite a bitter family feud involving mafia heavyweight Frank Madafferi and his politically connected tycoon brother, Tony.
Mr Acquaro, who was gunned down outside his Gelobar restaurant in Brunswick East, had amassed a $3,694,134 fortune during his lifetime as a solicitor for high-profile underworld figures. But he also had significant debts totalling $2,042,379.
A total of $1,601,755 will be split between his sons, Alfred, Alessio and Adrian, who will take two parts each of the estate. Mr Acquaro’s nephews and nieces have been bequeathed one part each.
Mr Acquaro, who police uncovered had a contract taken out on his life almost a year before he was shot dead, made his will, dated August 28, 2015, after becoming aware his life was in danger.
The 54-year-old was also the holder of a large life insurance policy.
While his total real estate was estimated at $1.7 million — which consisted of side-by-side apartments he planned to turn into a penthouse looking out onto where his motorboat was moored — his other holdings were valued at $1,994,134.42.
He valued his half share in the Gelobar restaurant at $600,000, had $541,212.30 in a National Australia Bank savings account and he had taken out a Medibank life insurance policy which the estate values at $703,548.
The former lawyer to the mob, however, left some complex issues behind.
The restaurant’s owner Rita Scullino has first option to buy out Mr Acquaro’s half share in the Lygon St eatery. But the will deals with issues regarding Mr Acquaro’s long-time partner Marisa Di Lisio.
He states that he has a half interest in a house in Keilor East which is in her name.
Mr Acquaro directs the trustee to pursue action against Ms Di Lisio over a “caveatable interest’’ held on a property. He had spoken of his fractured relationship with Ms Di Lisio during his last months.
Mr Acquaro, who was widely regarded as a generous man, fell out with the Madafferis after a brutal fight with Frank over business interests, and legal costs.
It is not suggested Mr Madafferi has been involved in any criminal activity or was responsible for his former lawyer’s death on March 15.
Mr Acquaro had expressed to the Herald Sun his concerns for his life, and feared a hitman had been in Australia, only a month before his murder.
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