Silvio Berlusconi says girls never stripped at ‘bunga bunga’ parties
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made a rare appearance in court on April 20, 2012 to hear prosecution witnesses in his trial for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute and using his position to cover it up.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi simply entertained large crowds at his home, never once sleeping with an underage Moroccan prostitute known as Ruby Heart-Stealer, he told a courtroom in Milan today.
Accused of having sex with the underage prostitute and pressuring police to release her from custody, Berlusconi tried to paint a picture of himself as ostentatious party host.
“I can say with absolute tranquility that there was never anything of a sexual nature,” he said, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The 76-year-old media baron and politician faces 15 years in prison if convicted of having sex with Karima el-Marough, an alleged underage call-girl and dancer who prosecutors say was 17 when she met the Italian PM.
Both Berlusconi and el-Marough deny the accusations.
Prosecutors also allege that Berlusconi called police when they arrested el-Marough for shoplifting, telling them she was ex-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s granddaughter.
“I have never exercised pressure on officials of the Milan police,” he said, BBC reported.
“The girl said she was Egyptian, coming from an important family related to Mubarak.”
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Berlusconi’s so-called “bunga bunga” parties have grown to near legendary proportions.
Among those on the guest lists included soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, actor George Clooney and his ex-girlfriend, model Elisabetta Canalis.
Others who have testified say Berlusconi invited strippers to perform dressed as nuns or police officers, and even one who wore a President Obama mask, The Telegraph reported.
“They were just dinners in which I monopolized the attention, singing, talking about sport and politics and gossiping,” he said, according to The Telegraph.
“I never paid money to have intimate relationships with my female guests and my female guests could not be considered escorts.”
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