Berlusconi aide in corruption investigation

A HIGH-PROFILE corruption scandal involving Silvio Berlusconi’s inner circle is denting the Italian Prime Minister’s hopes of a sweeping victory in regional elections next month.

For the past week, magistrates probing lucrative public work contracts have closed in on Guido Bertolaso, the head of the civil protection department and Berlusconi’s right-hand man in dealing with natural disasters.

This week, the magistrates questioned the national coordinator of Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL) party, Denis Verdini, who later revealed he was also under investigation.