Berlusconi sex party proceedings start
Source: Agencies |
June 28, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A Milan judge heard arguments yesterday to decide whether to try a dental nurse, a celebrity agent and a television anchorman accused of procuring women for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's alleged sex parties.
The case is the latest headache for Berlusconi, who is still reeling from local election and referendum defeats and faces sinking approval ratings, fractious allies and a weak economy.
Prosecutors allege Nicole Minetti, a dental hygienist-turned-regional councillor, hired women to prostitute themselves at Berlusconi's parties with the help of show business agent Lele Mora and Emilio Fede, an anchorman on a Berlusconi-owned TV channel.
All three deny the charges. The judge must decide whether there is enough evidence to send them to trial, but no decision was expected yesterday. If the three were ordered to trial, Berlusconi could face the prospect of new and embarrassing revelations about parties he hosted. The media magnate is himself on trial in a related case, where he faces charges of giving cash and jewels to an underage teenager called "Ruby" in return for sex.
In a further setback for the premier, two aspiring showgirls who attended one of his parties were granted the right yesterday to join a potential trial involving Berlusconi's associates.
The two girls told prosecutors they were shocked by erotic games they saw at the party and will describe in court what they saw if the case proceeds to trial.
"This could lead to other girls taking action if they want," the girls' lawyer Stefano Castrale said.
The case is the latest headache for Berlusconi, who is still reeling from local election and referendum defeats and faces sinking approval ratings, fractious allies and a weak economy.
Prosecutors allege Nicole Minetti, a dental hygienist-turned-regional councillor, hired women to prostitute themselves at Berlusconi's parties with the help of show business agent Lele Mora and Emilio Fede, an anchorman on a Berlusconi-owned TV channel.
All three deny the charges. The judge must decide whether there is enough evidence to send them to trial, but no decision was expected yesterday. If the three were ordered to trial, Berlusconi could face the prospect of new and embarrassing revelations about parties he hosted. The media magnate is himself on trial in a related case, where he faces charges of giving cash and jewels to an underage teenager called "Ruby" in return for sex.
In a further setback for the premier, two aspiring showgirls who attended one of his parties were granted the right yesterday to join a potential trial involving Berlusconi's associates.
The two girls told prosecutors they were shocked by erotic games they saw at the party and will describe in court what they saw if the case proceeds to trial.
"This could lead to other girls taking action if they want," the girls' lawyer Stefano Castrale said.
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