Silvio Berlusconi found guilty of tax evasion (though it's a bit complicated)

[Antonio the Sixth]

The Cassation Court, Italy's highest jurisdiction, just released its verdict on the tax evasion case. Basically, it found Berlusconi guilty of the charges, but found that the penalty that the Appeals Court inflicted to him was not properly determined (it should have been 3 years of public office ban instead of 5). So what happens is that:
- Belusconi has been found guilty definitely - there is no appeal possible.
- If I understand correctly, the jail sentence is also to be enforced. Though he won't go to jail, but house arrest instead.
- The case is remanded the Appeals Court, but only for this court to properly redefine the penalty. Which should be quick enough to avoid the statute of limitation.

[Tender Branson]

Extremely good to see.



Let's hope they enforce the prison term for him (I think it's only 1 of the 4 years he got), and not grant him house arrest, because this would mean spending a year in a multi-million € home of him.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Extremely good to see.



Let's hope they enforce the prison term for him (I think it's only 1 of the 4 years he got), and not grant him house arrest, because this would mean spending a year in a multi-million € home of him.

It's almost 100% sure he'll go to House arrest, unfortunately. Though I think he will be detained in his own Arcore house, so no expense.

Also, PD leader Epifani just hinted that PD will vote in the Senate to ratify Berlusconi's public offices ban (don't ask me why a Senate vote is required in the first place, but it is). That's the least they could do, but still.

[Tender Branson]

Extremely good to see.



Let's hope they enforce the prison term for him (I think it's only 1 of the 4 years he got), and not grant him house arrest, because this would mean spending a year in a multi-million € home of him.

It's almost 100% sure he'll go to House arrest, unfortunately. Though I think he will be detained in his own Arcore house, so no expense.

Also, PD leader Epifani just hinted that PD will vote in the Senate to ratify Berlusconi's public offices ban (don't ask me why a Senate vote is required in the first place, but it is). That's the least they could do, but still.

So, virtually a year-long vacation "Mitt Romney-style".

In a villa with a huge pool and a tennis court and other stuff.

Just that he can't leave the property ...

Oh, the poor Silvio ... I think I'll open a bottle of mercy for him.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

One sort of finds oneself hoping the next Italian general election is on or before July 31, 2016...

...either that or the underage prostitution conviction, which if I recall correctly involves a lifetime political ban, is upheld beforehand.

[Antonio the Sixth]

One sort of finds oneself hoping the next Italian general election is on or before July 31, 2016...

...either that or the underage prostitution conviction, which if I recall correctly involves a lifetime political ban, is upheld beforehand.

One can only marvel at the fact that the maximum public office ban sentence for tax evasion is only 3 years. And Berlusconi isn't even at fault here, since the law dates from 2000.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Napolitano also released a statement, saying that the judicial branch must be respected and that the government should get to work. Nothing particularly surprising.

PdL is having an extraordinary summit in their HQs. No statement yet.

[Tender Branson]

Daniela Santanché, a PDL-politician, says that Berlusconi will "serve his sentence in prison and will not apply for house arrest or social work."

http://www.direttanews.it/2013/08/05/sentenza-mediaset-santanche-choc-berlusconi-scegliera-il-carcere

Great, if true ...

[Antonio the Sixth]

They're probably still hoping for pardon/amnesty. Berlusconi has no intention to go to jail. Hold the line, PD, hold the line...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I believe when I see.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The sentence will begin being enforced in September/October.

[Zanas]

Sadly, a Berlusconi in jail would likely overperform in the hellhole political country that is today's Italy...