Also listed as defense witnesses in the prostitution trial of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi are Clooney's girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis and Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo.
- March 30, 2011
AceShowbiz -
George Clooney is being listed as a potential witness in the sensational sex trial of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The news came as a surprise to many as well as the "Up in the Air" star himself. In fact, he admitted that he himself is puzzled as to why he is named as one of the defense witnesses.
The 49-year-old actor, whose girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis is also included in the witness list, expressed his confusion over the situation through a statement released by his representative on Tuesday, March 29. In it, he said, "It seems odd since I've only met Berlusconi once and that was in an attempt to get aid into Darfur."
Piersilvio Cipolotti, one of Berlusconi's attorneys, has confirmed to Bloomberg.com by phone that Clooney has been listed in the defense witnesses. As for the reason why, Cipolotti explained, "He was cited in court documents as a guest of Berlusconi at one of the dinners the premier organized and we want to ask him to confirm this."
Clooney and his girlfriend Canalis are not the only celebrities finding themselves entangled in the sex trial. Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly among the 78 witnesses who might be called to testify. A judge will decide if Clooney, Ronaldo and the others on the list are relevant and should be officially called to take the stand.
Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl, known as Ruby, and trying to use his power to cover it up. The 74-year-old prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges "disgusting"and "groundless". His trial is set to begin on April 6 in Milan.
