MILAN — It’s no wonder the Italian businessmen claimed George Clooney was behind their fashion line — the actor knows how to wow an audience whether he is on the red carpet or in court.
Maintaining his trademark aura of cool, Clooney delivered a few wisecracks Friday as he testified against three defendants accused of co-opting his name with the goal of launching a fashion line.
The arrival of the star, who has a villa on nearby Lake Como but is rarely seen here in public, sent the normally staid courthouse into full celebrity tilt. Clooney had to push his way through a wall of cameras into the courtroom, saying, “Scusa, scusa” — “Excuse me, excuse me” in Italian — and adding, “Don’t crush my lawyers.”
The 49-year-old actor testified that photos purporting to show him with two of the defendants were doctored and signatures on documents were forged.
Only one defendant, Vincenzo Cannalire, attended the trial. Clooney turned to greet him after recognizing the man from a photo he was looking at. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen him,” Clooney said, motioning to Cannalire. Then with a trace of irony, Clooney added, “So I’d like to say hello, nice to meet you.”
The two others charged with criminal fraud are Vanja Goffi and Francesco Galdelli.
Clooney said one photo that purported to show him with Goffi was doctored from a photo of Clooney and an ex-girlfriend in real life. The actor said he had never met Goffi but knew of her from stories on the Internet that claimed the two had a romantic relationship.
Examining other photos, Clooney explained why he was not the man in one picture.
“Here, for instance. I don’t smoke, and I don’t wear that watch,” he said. Then after a pause, he added, “I also don’t wear long jean shorts.”
