Milan prosecutors have called for receivership for Tod’s: according to the prosecution’s hypothesis, it didn’t do enough to counteract the phenomena of gangmastering at two Chinese suppliers based in the Marche region. Investigators found similar violations in Lombardy among suppliers of uniforms for store clerks at the Casette d’Ete-based brand’s stores. The question of territorial jurisdiction was raised, however, and it will now be up to the Supreme Court on November 19 to decide whether the Milan court or that of Ancona will have to answer on the request of the Milan prosecutor’s office.
Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses Tod’s
The receivership request for Tod’s is the latest in a long series. It joins those that have already affected Alviero Martini SpA, Dior Manufactures, Giorgio Armani Operations, Valentino Bags Lab and Loro Piana. The Marche-based group would not avoid “heavy labor exploitation” along the supply chain. In particular, reports Corriere della Sera, two Chinese footwear suppliers in the Marche region would be involved. ‘Wang Junii’ in Monte San Giusto (Macerata) and ‘Lucy srls’ in Torre San Patrizio (Fermo).
Tod’s audits allegedly reported irregularities that were not remedied when the Carabinieri arrived at the sites in question. Other alleged irregularities were found between November 2024 and February 2025 in Chinese factories in Lombardy that made uniforms for Tod’s store clerks. In this instance, according to the lower courts, Tod’s is a customer of the factories (and not a contractor), so it’s not to be held liable for negligence.
Territorial jurisdiction
The Court, in the first instance, and the Court of Appeals of Milan in the second, affirmed that it was up to the Ancona judiciary to decide whether or not to grant the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office’s request about the receivership for Tod’s, in terms of territorial jurisdiction. The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed an appeal, and it will be the Supreme Court that will determine whose jurisdiction it is by November 19.
The brand’s response
Tod’s confirms that it has received notice of the hearing. In a press release, it adds that it has always operated in compliance with labor laws, applying constant checks on suppliers. “Convinced of this position”, the note reads, “in the coming days we will examine the papers of the pending proceedings and promptly provide all the necessary clarifications to demonstrate our total extraneousness. There is a lot of bitterness in thinking that, if we had been asked at the appropriate time – thus many months ago – we could have given all the necessary clarifications and could have clearly explained our production organization, which has always been governed by respecting rules and laws”.
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