Racy reports of villa parties pile pressure on Berlusconi in new storm
Saturday May 30 2009
THE sprawling terracotta villa near Sardinia's emerald sea has been the Italian prime minister's favourite spot for years for entertaining world power brokers and relaxing with pretty girls. It boasts waterfalls, an artificial volcano and seven swimming pools.
Now the 120-hectare Villa Certosa is at the centre of allegations against Silvio Berlusconi (72) that threaten to bring him down. His failure to give a coherent explanation of his relationship with Noemi Letizia, a teenage model, has inflamed a scandal that shows no signs of abating before European elections next week.
Amid all the contradictory accounts of how an aspiring actress became acquainted with the media billionaire one consistency has emerged.
According to first her former boyfriend and now her mother, Ms Letizia was flown to a new year's party at his villa on the Costa Smeralda, as a private guest of Mr Berlusconi.
Anna Palumbo confirmed allegations, made by Noemi's former boyfriend, Gino Flaminio, that her daughter spent the festive period at Mr Berlusconi's private residence, without her parents.
There she and her friend, Roberta, enjoyed the company of the prime minister, along with numerous guests, including about 30 women of a similar age. "I took my daughter and her friend Roberta to the airport. There is nothing to hide," Ms Palumbo told 'La Stampa'.
She said Ms Letizia had stayed only one night and been "treated with white gloves" while in Sardinia.
"There were not only girls there, as has been reported, there was also Piersilvio, the prime minister's son. They all sang, danced and ate.
"In other words, it was a normal party, and the next day my daughter was already home again."
Asked about jewellery and money given to women guests by Mr Berlusconi in Sardinia Ms Palumbo said: "Noemi did not bring back any such objects, let alone money." Noemi was then just 17.
Spotlight
Noemi's previously unknown relationship with Mr Berlusconi came into the spotlight last month after his wife, Veronica Lario, said one of the reasons for seeking a divorce was that she could "not stay with a man who frequents minors".
Niccolo Ghedini, Mr Berlusconi's lawyer, has dismissed the reports as "absolute fantasy".
He threatened legal action against 'L'Espresso' magazine after it published "absurd" allegations by unnamed television showgirls that they sang and danced with the prime minister and bathed in his heated pool, after being invited to attend a new year's party at Villa Certosa the previous year. (© The Times, London)
- Lucy Bannerman
