Trustee Sues DFJ Italia for $2.2 Million

The bankruptcy trustee overseeing DFJ Italia is suing to recover about $2.2 million that was allegedly used to buy homes, cars and jewelry for the Irvine firm’s former leaders, attorneys said Thursday.

The complaint, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, names DFJ founder Luigi DiFonzo; his wife, Brenda; co-founder Angelo Ales; Rosalinda Lopez, who is described as Ales’ girlfriend; and sales executive Guy Scarpelli, among others.

DFJ closed last month amid allegations that about 700 investors lost nearly $30 million after being deceived into believing that the money would be used for currency trading.

Instead, the suit alleges, about $1.2 million was used to help the DiFonzos purchase a $4-million home in Laguna Niguel. Another $1 million was used by Ales, who is in prison for an unrelated crime, to buy a jeweled pendant, a black Corvette, two Jaguars and a pink limousine, which were transferred to Lopez, according to the suit. Also, Scarpelli allegedly used $63,000 as a down payment for a home in Laguna Niguel, according to the filing.

Attorneys for DiFonzo and Scarpelli could not be reached for comment, and Lopez could not be reached.

Last week, FBI agents raided DiFonzo’s home in search of records and evidence for a continuing criminal investigation.