Joe Acquaro’s family continues to feud over his will

THE Italian restaurant half-owned by murdered mafia ­lawyer Joe Acquaro has been bought by his father as the family continues to feud about the breakup of the estate.

Lawyer Joe Acquaro leaving court with Rocco Arico in July 2015. Supplied: Channel 9

THE Italian restaurant half-owned by murdered mafia ­lawyer Joe Acquaro has been bought by his father as the family continues to feud about the breakup of the estate.

More than a year after the 54-year-old lawyer and restaurateur was shot dead outside his Lygon St cafe in Brunswick East on March 15, acrimony has surrounded the splitting of his wealth.

Acquaro’s father, Alfredo, and his brother, Massimo — the executor of the estate — were being sued by the three sons, Alfredo, Alessio and Adriano.

Legal action disputing the estate was filed with the ­Supreme Court on November 11, with the sons challenging the fairness of the 20 per cent they inherited — about $330,000.

Mourners lay flowers at the site where underworld lawyer Joe Acquaro was killed. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But eldest son Alfredo is no longer part of the action. It is believed he has sided with his grandfather and uncle and has fallen out with his brothers.

The homicide squad is investigating Acquaro’s murder.

A contract was alleged to have been put on his life by the Calabrian mafia in mid-2015.

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The Herald Sun revealed at the time of his murder that ­another motive — over a small dispute with a tradesman — was the focus of the probe.

Acquaro’s main assets have been put up for sale, with his restaurant bought out by his father, who previously owned 501 Receptions in Footscray, and at least one of the lawyer’s Docklands apartments sold.

Mourners at the Acquaro family tomb in Footscray during the funeral for Joe Acquaro. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Acquaro had a total gross wealth of $3,644,134, including the Docklands apartments ­valued at $850,000 each, a life insurance policy of $703,548 and his half share in the restaurant, estimated at $600,000 at the time of his death.

His liabilities, however, were more than $2 million.

Part of the dispute is a $700,000 loan, which was made to Acquaro by Acquaro Nominees. The money is understood to have been given to him by his father, and equal amounts are believed to have been given to his siblings.

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Other assets were left to the son of his former partner, Marisa Di Lisio.

Acrimony between the family began before Acquaro’s death. But in the aftermath, a source has told the Herald Sun the two youngest sons have been denied access to their ­father’s autopsy report and the keys to his mausoleum.

Others known to the family have disputed this.