BUNGA BUNGA

Court Confirms Berlusconi’s Acquittal

Cleared of sex charges.

Italy’s Court of Cassation upheld former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s acquittal on charges that he paid for sex with a minor at the infamous “bunga bunga” parties at his Milan villa. Berlusconi was convicted in a lower court, but the decision was reversed in an appeals court last year. Officials said Tuesday the court will issue a written ruling detailing the reasoning within the next 90 days. Prosecutors accused Berlusconi of paying Karima el-Mahroug, who went by the nickname Ruby, for sex while she was underage and later pressuring police to release her when she was detained on suspicion of theft. Berlusconi is still under a Milan investigation for paying off witnessness and is on trial for alleged political corruption in Naples.