Italy's High Court Affirms Berlusconi's Tax Fraud Conviction
A tax fraud conviction against ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi has been upheld by the country's highest court in a move that could imperil a fragile coalition government.
The Court of Cassation's five-judge panel decided Thursday to reject Berlusconi's final appeal, threatening the stability of Premier Enrico Letta's ruling coalition, which depends on support from Berlusconi's party. The flamboyant media mogul-turned-politician had earlier been sentenced to four years, but that had been commuted under an amnesty.
The charges stem from the October conviction of 76-year-old Berlusconi and three others on tax fraud charges related to the tycoon's purchase of television rights for his Mediaset network.
However, the judges ordered a lower court to review its imposition of a five-year ban on Berlusconi's participating in public office.
The Associated Press reports:
"Berlusconi has no official role in the government, but he remains influential in the center-right and backers already slowed Parliament's work last month after the high court put his case on the docket this summer, instead of the fall, to prevent some of the charges from expiring."