Former Italian PM convicted in sex-for-hire trial

MILAN (AP):



Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted for paying for sex with an under-aged prostitute.



Berlusconi, 76, was convicted in a Milan court today, and sentenced to seven years in prison, and barred from public office for life.



The incident occurred at an infamous 'bunga bunga' party held at his villa.



Both he and the Moroccan woman at the center of the scandal have denied ever having sex.



It is said that Berlusconi used his influence to try to cover up the incident.



The sentence could mean the end of his two-decade political career.



However, there are two more levels of appeal before the sentence would become final, a process that can take months.



His lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini, immediately announced an appeal and said the sentence was as expected as it was unjust.



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