Trial Date Set for Italy Prime Minister Berlusconi on Sex and Abuse of Power Charges
One day after Italian women took the streets in protest of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s treatment of women, a judge there ruled that he will be tried on charges of sex with an underage female prostitute and abuse of power. The second charge relates to an allegation that he got the young woman released from jail for a theft charge.
The Feb. 15 announcement came from Judge Cristina di Censo, after Milan prosecutors filed a request for trial last week, CNN reported. Berlusconi’s lawyers have argued that the Milan court lacks the authority to try a prime minister and lacks jurisdiction in this case.
The Italian government alleges that Berlusconi paid for sex with a nightclub dancer who was 17 years old. It’s also been alleged that the prime minister had “wild parties” at his house and that an associate found underage girls to have sex with Berlusconi.
Forbes says Berlusconi is worth $9 billion. He made much of his money from national television stations, newspapers and publishing houses he owns.
Berlusconi, CNN notes, has faced trials in the past, but this is the first time he has been charged with abuse of power as prime minister or charged with personal misconduct.
His most recent trial is set to commence April 6. Three judges, all of whom are women, will preside over the trial, according to CNN.
Berlusconi, first elected as Italy’s prime minister in 1994, has described the underage sex allegation as groundless, and denies ever paying anyone for sex.
