Post: #1

In a different era this guy would be a Roman Emperor.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/euro...49183.html

Quote:"I'm climbing back into the ring," Silvio Berlusconi says, claiming that he wants to save his party. "Without me, they will sink."

Quote:...he is either bragging about or keeping silent about "the beautiful girls" who belong to his third subset of women. They don't have to be particularly smart or well-spoken. It's looks that count.

Quote:"If it sometimes happens that I look at the face of a pretty girl, it's better to get excited about beautiful girls than to be gay," he once told reporters.

That last line should be in his epitaph. He may be a corrupt bastard, but hearing that kind of honesty is refreshing.

Post: #2

Trashing gays to get re-elected... only in Italy. God bless

Post: #3

(08-11-2012 08:06 AM)Samseau Wrote:  Trashing gays to get re-elected... only in Italy. God bless

Would be nice if it worked here.

Hell, it might but no one has the balls to do it.

Post: #4

Men like Silvio are most definitely teflon. Nothing sticks to them, and they simply don't go away. Being in power and having the light shine on them is a drug, and they'll never quit. That combination of confidence and arrogance is both admired and infuriating. I just love the way he thumbs his nose at his detractors. In Europe, his "crimes" aren't necessarily a death sentence.

Post: #5

His "crimes" are just free publicity.

Post: #6

Berlusconi is only enjoyable because he is happening to someone else.

This time around though he's unlikely to make it, he's too cash strapped and Italy is in too much of a bind at the moment for the populace to take any chances with his antics.

Post: #7

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/2...PZ20121026

Berlusconi sentenced to jail for tax fraud

Quote:Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to four years in jail on Friday for tax fraud in connection with the purchase of broadcasting rights by his Mediaset television company.

The 76-year-old billionaire media magnate, who was convicted three times during the 1990s in the first degree before being cleared by higher courts, has the right to appeal the ruling two more times before the sentence becomes definitive.

That process is likely to be lengthy and he will not be jailed unless he loses the final appeal. Even then, because the crime was committed when an amnesty to prevent prison overcrowding was in place, the maximum possible jail time would be one year

Post: #8

Our own government has used this tactic more than once. If they can't get someone they know to be corrupt/criminal on those charges, they get you for tax evasion. That isn't to say that he didn't actually avoid paying taxes, but they never bring that charge initially. They hit you with that after all the other charges fail to result in a conviction.

Post: #9

I think I am going to vote for Berlusconi in our US elections.

Post: #10

(10-26-2012 01:29 PM)Timoteo Wrote:  Our own government has used this tactic more than once. If they can't get someone they know to be corrupt/criminal on those charges, they get you for tax evasion. That isn't to say that he didn't actually avoid paying taxes, but they never bring that charge initially. They hit you with that after all the other charges fail to result in a conviction.

Yep. This gentleman probably being the most famous example:

Post: #11

Yes MSW2007, Capone is the first that comes to mind. John Gotti also got hit with a tax evasion charge along with racketeering, obstruction of justice, illegal gambling, etc. The government passed RICO statutes pretty much for the purpose of using it against organized crime. Gotti had continually beat the government on more serious criminal charges, so they rigged the case that finally got him convicted. They got his lawyer (Bruce Cutler) disqualified, flipped Sammy Gravano (giving immunity to a man that admitted to ordering and/or participating in some 17 murders I think) just to get him. If they can't convict you for HOW you made the money, they'll get you for not paying taxes on it.

Post: #12

(10-26-2012 12:58 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/2...PZ20121026

Berlusconi sentenced to jail for tax fraud

Quote:Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to four years in jail on Friday for tax fraud in connection with the purchase of broadcasting rights by his Mediaset television company.

The 76-year-old billionaire media magnate, who was convicted three times during the 1990s in the first degree before being cleared by higher courts, has the right to appeal the ruling two more times before the sentence becomes definitive.

That process is likely to be lengthy and he will not be jailed unless he loses the final appeal. Even then, because the crime was committed when an amnesty to prevent prison overcrowding was in place, the maximum possible jail time would be one year

I was waiting for someone to post that. Hate him or love him Berlusconi is a G.

Post: #13

I admire him for his gusto and unrestrained Alphaness, but as a politician, he has been awful for the people of Italy. I sure hope he doesn't come back.

Post: #14

Berlusconi's not done yet. He still can appeal the decision. I'm betting on him staying out of the clink.

And if this turns out to be the end of his career, he's had quite the run.

Post: #15

(10-26-2012 06:16 PM)Bacchus Wrote:  Berlusconi's not done yet. He still can appeal the decision. I'm betting on him staying out of the clink.

And if this turns out to be the end of his career, he's had quite the run.

I think he can appeal twice more, which could drag out for some time. What it DOES do is it prevents him from running for public office again during that time. If he wins the appeals, I wouldn't bet against him having the audacity to run again.