Teenager confirms Berlusconi cash gift
Source: Agencies |
January 17, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A TEENAGER at the heart of the latest criminal probe of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said the billionaire media mogul gave her 7,000 euros (US$9,351) when she came to a Valentine's Day soiree at his villa, but reiterated she didn't have sex with him.
Milan prosecutors were investigating if Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage girl from Morocco and then abused his power in trying to cover up the encounters.
Berlusconi has criticized the investigation, calling the allegations "incredible and grotesque."
The teenager, a nightclub dancer nicknamed Ruby, said on Saturday that Berlusconi didn't know she was a minor when she was invited to his villa last year "because I told everyone I was 24," not 17.
Asked why Berlusconi gave her the money at the first of several evening parties she said she attended at one of his villas outside Milan, Ruby replied, "because I had just arrived in Milan and he knew of my difficult family situation" and wanted to help.
As in other interviews Ruby has given, she reiterated that there was "absolutely no" sex between them.
Prosecutors say they are investigating whether the premier had sex with the then-17-year-old girl and then used the powers of his office to try to cover up the encounter. Prosecutors issued a summons on Friday for Berlusconi and his lawyers to appear for questioning.
Milan prosecutors were investigating if Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage girl from Morocco and then abused his power in trying to cover up the encounters.
Berlusconi has criticized the investigation, calling the allegations "incredible and grotesque."
The teenager, a nightclub dancer nicknamed Ruby, said on Saturday that Berlusconi didn't know she was a minor when she was invited to his villa last year "because I told everyone I was 24," not 17.
Asked why Berlusconi gave her the money at the first of several evening parties she said she attended at one of his villas outside Milan, Ruby replied, "because I had just arrived in Milan and he knew of my difficult family situation" and wanted to help.
As in other interviews Ruby has given, she reiterated that there was "absolutely no" sex between them.
Prosecutors say they are investigating whether the premier had sex with the then-17-year-old girl and then used the powers of his office to try to cover up the encounter. Prosecutors issued a summons on Friday for Berlusconi and his lawyers to appear for questioning.
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