Berlusconi’s ‘party girls’ driven by ambitious parents

SORDID details of the grasping ambition of parents of young girls caught up in Italy’s latest sex scandal emerged yesterday as excerpts from wire-taps were splashed over the country’s papers.

As part of evidence from Milan magistrates alleging Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi hooked up with prostitutes and held debauched parties, parents were caught on tape encouraging their daughters to compete for the 74-year old.

“The sad army of aspiring parents-in-law” is “a symbol of a moral epidemic,” said La Stampa newspaper, quoting a father who told his daughter “you’ve had one girl then another get ahead of you... wake up!”