Sex Scandal May Topple Berlusconi

The former cruise-ship crooner, aka Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who famously swore off sex for the duration of his 2006 campaign, may yet be brought down by that oh-so-Italian of political scandals. From the Times of London:

"With weeks to go before he hosts the G8 summit the Italian Prime Minister, 72, is facing new allegations, including claims by a Bari escort girl who says that she has recorded footage of herself in the billionaire’s bedroom. Now another woman has come forward, this time claiming that she was paid to attend the Prime Minister’s private parties after going through a hostess service, allegedly operated by a local businessman.

In an interview with The Times Barbara Montereale said that Mr Berlusconi gave her ¤10,000 (£8,500) 'as a present' after attending one of his parties at Villa Certosa. She also claims to have received an attendance fee of ¤1,000, paid by his alleged fixer, Giampaolo Tarantini.

Miss Montereale, 23, also claimed that Patrizia D’Addario, the escort girl at the centre of the scandal, told her she had had sex with Mr Berlusconi."

The Times has more with the woman who claims her "nickname is long thighs."