Probe launched into pardon of bunga bunga showgirl at centre of Berlusconi scandal
Italian magistrates are urgently investigating whether an ally of late prime minister Silvio Berlusconi lied to secure a presidential pardon for a conviction over the “bunga bunga” sex party scandal.
Nicole Minetti has denied falsifying her application, but president Sergio Mattarella has taken the highly unusual step of publicly urging the ministry to review the case after a newspaper questioned key parts of her appeal.
In 2019, Ms Minetti, a former dental hygienist and showgirl, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in jail for procuring sex workers for Berlusconi’s sex parties, a scandal that would define his final term in office.
Two years later, she was given an additional 13-month sentence for misuse of public funds.
open image in galleryAs the cumulative term was under four years, she avoided prison, but was due to carry out community service. However, she appealed for a presidential pardon, saying the poor health of her adopted child meant she could not leave his side.
After months of review, the pardon was granted in February.
Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper has now reported alleged inconsistencies in the case and raised questions over the adoption of the child with serious health problems.
Ms Minetti's lawyers had said the child was an orphan from Uruguay, but Il Fatto Quotidiano said it had found court documents saying the boy's parents had been alive at the time of the adoption in 2023, and had tried to prevent it going ahead.
The newspaper also questioned whether the child needed such constant medical attention that meant his adopted mother could not serve her sentence.
The Milan prosecutor general’s office said it had launched inquiries through Interpol into the “very serious” allegations, and was seeking information from abroad.
Italian newspapers have reported that when magistrates reviewed the initial plea for clemency, they did not ask for confirmation from Uruguay of details provided by Ms Minetti.
In 2009, Ms Minetti treated Berlusconi after he was physically attacked at a Milan rally.
open image in galleryThe following year, the then prime minister nominated her for election in Lombardy as a regional councillor for his People of Freedom party (PDL).
Shortly afterwards, Berlusconi sent her to a Milan police station to pick up a teenager arrested on suspicion of stealing. The teenager was released after Berlusconi called to claim she was the niece of the Egyptian president.
In fact the girl was Moroccan, better known as Ruby, and a performer and dancer at parties at his villa where she was first taken as a 17-year-old.
In 2013, Berlusconi was found guilty of paying for sex with “Ruby”, who always denied it, and the ruling was later quashed on appeal.
The case has embarrassed both Mr Mattarella and the justice ministry.
The magistrates said that when the checks are completed, they could revise their recommendation for a pardon.
Opposition politicians have called for the resignation of justice minister Carlo Nordio, who recommended clemency.
In a statement issued through her lawyer, Ms Minetti said the claims about her pardon request were unfounded and damaging to her personal and family reputations.
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