Berslusconi and Lavitola, no shows at corruption trial
FORMER Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Valter Lavítola, the go-between manipulator involved in alleged bribery of Panamanian officials, were no-shows at the beginnining of their latest corruption trial in Naples,
Both delegated representation to their respective attorneys . Berlusconi claimed that the summons was delivered to hisl ong time secretary Marianella Brambilla, , and not him .
Lavitola had not occupied the cell with bars of the room 110 of the armored bunker court city of Naples , which had been assigned to him. He remained in Poggioreale prison, and he used the same defensive strategy .
The prestigious Clean Hands ex judge Antonio Di Pietro alleged at the hearing that Berlusconi's lawyers are trying to lengthen the criminal proceedings to use the statute of limitations.
He told La Prensa "It is the usual trick " and warned Berlusconi and Lavítola " to stop playing with the law and have all the truths out
The Prosecutor of Naples could ask another six years in prison for Lavitola for being the alleged corruptor in paying $ 4.1 million to former Senator De Gregorio, judged as corrupt and sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
The buying of senators to switch parties brought down a government and putBerlesconi in power.
The amount for corruption could rise to $11 million according to a Lavitola statement to journalist Joan Soles whp will be called to testify in the coming weeks .
The trial was scheduled to resume Wednesday and if Berlusconi is declared by the justice of Naples in absentia and he and Lavítola persist in their refusal to appear, the Court may consider their attitude an outrage