Berlusconi could be scrubbing toilets or helping addicts

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to learn this week whether he might be scrubbing toilets or working with drug addicts after opting to do community service for tax fraud.

Berlusconi has chosen to carry out a community service order rather than be held under house arrest, his lawyer said.

The centre-right leader, 77, was found guilty of falsely recording the price paid for television rights by his Mediaset television empire to pay less tax. He was given a four-year sentence in August, commuted to one year, to be served under house arrest or in community service due to his age.