A heartbreaking tale of injustice has unfolded for the family of Giulia Galiotto, who was brutally murdered by her husband Marco Manzini. Now, over 16 years since her tragic death, the family faces what they describe as yet another slap to their grief: tax demands from the Italian government for unreceived compensation.
Giulia Galiotto was only 30 years old when she was killed by her husband, who struck her multiple times with stones before disposing of her body in the nearby Secchia River, attempting to stage the terrible act as a suicide. The crime rocked their small community of San Michele dei Mucchietti near Sassuolo, and after being arrested, Marco Manzini was condemned to serve 19 years and four months for his heinous crime. His sentence included a court-mandated compensation of 1.2 million euros for Galiotto’s family.
Fast forward to today, and the Galiotto family has yet to see the complete compensation promised to them. Instead, they have received tax notices from the Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Agency) demanding approximately 6,000 euros from each family member for taxes on the part of the compensation they have never actually received. This unprecedented situation has left them dismayed and outraged.
“We are facing another slap after he is free. It’s absurd for the state to ask for taxes on compensation we have never received,” said Giovanna Ferrari, Giulia's mother, speaking to Gazzetta di Modena.
The Galiotto family has been through significant emotional turmoil since Giulia’s death. Manzini, who originally was incarcerated, attained semi-liberty in 2022 and was fully released by July 2024. During his time outside of prison, he resumed his previous job, which allowed for the garnishment of his wages to contribute toward the compensation. Unfortunately, following his complete release, Manzini reportedly resigned from his position, leaving the family’s financial recovery uncertain.
“The economic violence also exists within institutions, demanding taxes on compensation of which we only dream,” Ferrari added, expressing her frustration with the situation and its broader significance beyond her family.
The family's dire situation raises questions about the responsibilities of the state and the justice system toward victims and their families, particularly when perpetrators are allowed to move on with their lives following their sentences, as Manzini has been able to do. Instead of support, Galiotto’s relatives are met with demands for payment from the government.
To challenge these tax demands, the Galiotto family has filed legal appeals against the Agenzia delle Entrate. “We have filed three appeals – one for each tax notice received,” explained Ferrari. Despite their efforts, the anguish surrounding the taxation on non-existent compensation amplifies their grief.
The community of Sassuolo can resonate with the void left by Giulia’s death and sympathize with the family’s denial of justice at various levels—from the original crime to the current tax scenario. The family has become advocates not just for themselves but for others who have suffered similar fates of economic injustice, highlighting systemic issues facing victims’ families.
“The money is not our primary concern. We are primarily fighting for justice and to draw attention to how many are left to suffer,” Ferrari stated, reflecting on how many victims’ families might give up on pursuing justice due to terror of similar situations involving unpaid fines and compensation.
The emotional pain the Galiotto family has endured serves as both a reminder of personal losses but also points to wider issues within Italy’s institutions, where victims and their families often feel abandoned and disregarded. The call for reform appears clearer than ever—vital changes are needed within the policy framework to protect victims’ rights and to erase the burdens placed upon those already bearing the weight of tragic loss.
Tragically, cases like Giulia Galiotto's are too often subdued under the shadow of bureaucracy and legal jargon, leaving families like hers wrestling with administrative challenges alongside their grief. This heartbreaking situation encapsulates the urgent need for legal reforms to shield those affected by domestic violence, ensuring they receive justice and protection from economic exploitation.