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More Berlusconi Drama: Are There Naked Photos?

Alleged pictures of PM with girls spark tabloid bidding war

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2011 8:07 AM CST

(Newser) – Silvio Berlusconi is not most people's idea of a sexy hunk, but photographs allegedly showing the 74-year-old Italian prime minister naked—reportedly taken by one or more of the showgirls who entertained the PM in the "bunga bunga" party room of his mansion—have prompted a bidding war between tabloids that has soared past $1.35 million, reports the Telegraph.

Berlusconi's legal team says that if the pictures exist then they're "fakes, manipulated pictures, photo montages"—but they've filed complaints with judicial authorities and Italy’s privacy watchdog all the same. Prosecutors are expected to call for Berlusconi to go to trial today or tomorrow, to face charges of paying for sex with underage girls and abusing the power of his office.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrives at the EU summit on February 4, 2011 at the European Council headquarters in Brussels.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrives at the EU summit on February 4, 2011 at the European Council headquarters in Brussels.   (Getty Images)
Italain Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reacts during a press conference on January 26, 2011 at Palazzo Chigi in Rome following a meeting on the Expo Milan that will take place in 2015.
Italain Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reacts during a press conference on January 26, 2011 at Palazzo Chigi in Rome following a meeting on the Expo Milan that will take place in 2015.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
HMunster
Feb 8, 2011 5:30 AM CST
"Prosecutors are expected to call for Berlusconi to go to trial today or tomorrow, to face charges of paying for sex with underage girls and abusing the power of his office." Berlusconi's defense team will simply say: Hey, CLINTON was never brought to trial. What gives???...
RufusT.Firefly
Feb 7, 2011 5:50 PM CST
This usage of the term "naked photos" (or "nude photos" or "naked pictures") is lazy writing and completely wrong but it's commonly used as if it is appropriate wording. How can a photo be naked? Or clothed, for that matter? It's only naked if the photograph itself is not covered. (It's a bit like the ridiculous phrase "I couldn't care less" when trying to express one's disinterest in an issue. If you couldn't care less, that means that that issue is important to you because you are unable to lower your interest.) This is just a shortcut in wording that encourages bad writing. The correct wording would be something to the effect of "photos of him naked." Sorry for the lecture but I just detest that phrasing.
Deleted
Feb 7, 2011 11:21 AM CST
Newser, please promise us you will not show the photos if obtained. Oh, and add Hugh Hefner to the list.

 
Italy • Silvio Berlusconi • abuse of power

 
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