MILAN — His penchant for beautiful young women cost him his wife and now may cost Silvio Berlusconi what he cherishes most: power.
The 74-year-old Italian premier was ordered Tuesday to stand trial on charges that he paid a 17-year-old Moroccan girl for sex and then used his influence to cover it up — an offense that, if proved, could see him barred permanently from public office.
Berlusconi has called the allegations “groundless” and dismissed the case as a “farce,” accusing prosecutors of seeking to oust him from office. He did not comment Tuesday, skipping a news conference in Sicily and meeting with his lawyer in Rome.
Unlike Berlusconi’s many past legal problems involving his Mediaset empire, this time he faces allegations of personal misconduct while serving as the head of government. The trial is set to begin April 6 before a panel of three female judges.
Prosecutors have relayed more than 700 pages of wiretap conversations describing raucous behavior that would draw censure at most fraternity houses: sex-fueled parties attended by scantily clad women, sometimes dressed as nurses or police officers.
The indictment alleges Berlusconi paid for sex with the Moroccan girl, nicknamed Ruby, then used his influence to get her out of police custody when she was detained in connection with an unrelated theft of $4,100. Prosecutors say Berlusconi called police the night of May 27-28 because he feared his relationship with the teen would be revealed.
So far, Italians have been forgiving, with Berlusconi’s popularity damaged but not demolished. But having such details aired in court and not just in newspapers could shift the tide against Berlusconi.
