Milan prosecutors may summon Berlusconi’s gossip magazine editor
By ANIMonday, January 25, 2010
LONDON - The editor of two popular Italian gossip magazines owned by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi may have to appear before an enquiry panel which is looking into an alleged extortion racket by paparazzi.
The investigation conducted by Milan prosecutors is looking into reports according to which snappers extorted larger sums of money for withholding the publication of photographs.
Lapo Elkann, the heir to the Fiat company, several celebs, media personalities and politicians are believed to have been compromised by the paparazzi photographs.
Prosecutors say Elkann paid nearly 263,000pounds to stop the publication of photos where he was allegedly with transsexuals.
The inquiry follows an investigation, which led to the conviction of the Italian celebrity photographer Fabrizio Corona for blackmailing celebrities.
Corona is said to have been paid 17,500pounds by Berlusconi for compromising photographs of his daughter, Barbara, 25. (ANI)