Berlusconi ‘paid under-age teen for sex 13 times’
The accounting emerged in a seven-page document marking the closure of the investigation against three Berlusconi aides accused of procuring prostitutes for the 74-year-old premier.
Their case has been separated from Berlusconi’s, who faces trial on April 6 on charges of under-age prostitution and using his influence to cover it up.
Both Berlusconi and the Moroccan teenager, Karima el-Mahroug, known by her nickname Ruby, have denied having sex with each other. The belly dancer is alleged to have been paid for sex by the prime minister when she was aged 16.
The document filed yesterday seeking the indictments against the aides on charges of soliciting prostitution detail how the sex-fuelled parties were said to be organised: dinner, followed by erotic dancing and finally Berlusconi’s choice of a sex partner or partners.
Nicole Minetti, a regional councillor in Lombardy, Emilio Fede, a television executive, and Lele Mora, a talent scout have been notified by prosecutors that they would be recommending trial on charges of arranging 33 prostitutes for Berlusconi between early 2009 and January of this year.
Under Italian law, paying an adult for sex is not a crime but procuring prostitutes is. However, paying a prostitute aged under 18 is a crime.
Berlusconi and his three friends deny the charges.
Berlusconi is facing four trials, three for corruption and one for prostitution. He has denied all allegations and vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2013. He is also set to attend the trials in person.
