Silvio Berlusconi Avoids Indictment In Tax Fraud Case

Silvio Berlusconi will not be charged in the tax fraud case against his Mediaset media company. His eldest son Pier Silvio Berlusconi, the chairman of Mediaset Fedele Confalonieri, and nine other defendants will face charges.

The Telegraph reports that Berlusconi’s son and the other nine defendants are being accused of committing tax fraud and embezzlement while paying inflated prices for TV programs purchased by Mediaset. A court in Milan ruled that Berlusconi had not taken part in the tax fraud.

And Berlusconi agreed. After his case was dismissed, the Italian Prime Minister said:

“Everyone keeps asking me if I am pleased. I don’t know because I was accused of something that doesn’t exist in heaven or on Earth.”

Defense attorney Niccolo Ghedini added:

“Evidently the judge maintained that Berlusconi had no part in the affair… This is not a victory but a just decision of a judge who listened.”

According to the LA Times, Berlusconi’s son and the nine other defendants will face trial on December 22nd.

Of course, Berlusconi isn’t completely off the hook. The Italian Prime Minister, who barely survived a confidence vote last week, is facing three more trials involving tax fraud and underage prostitution.

Lairo Berlusconi, the Prime Minister’s ex-wife, called Berlusconi “a dragon to whom young virgins offer themselves” and that she couldn’t be with a man “who frequents minors.”

Berlusconi has maintained his innocence against all charges levied against him.

Do you think Silvio Berlusconi will be found guilty of any of the charges brought against him?