Bunga bunga: Berlusconi's sex parties scandal lasted over 12 years

The death of Silvio Berlusconi, the former Prime Minister of Italy, brings to mind the billionaire's eventful public career which was also marred by a series of scandals. For Kenyans, what comes to mind is the bunga bunga dances, where young girls engaged in sex parties, including a Kenyan, Lavender Ogolla. Lavender was engaged in the sex parties alongside members of a dance group on the Colorado Cafe TV Show - who included Nicolle Ance Spirga and Marystell Garcia Polanco. In total, there were 14 women, including Lavender, who were implicated. Dance troupe members Though she escaped jail in 2013 even after lying to prosecutors, others were not so lucky. Berlusconi had been handed seven years in jail but was later acquitted after appeal. Nothing much is publicly known about Lavender's life since. One of those jailed included Nicole Minetti, the charming, nubile lady who got five years in prison for procuring prostitutes for the billionaire. Her other associates, show business agent Lele Mora and Emilio Fede, a TV host, were each sentenced to seven years in prison. A ring of prostitution During the hearings, the court heard tantalising details of a 'ring of prostitution' centred at Berlusconi's mansion outside Milan. At the time of the bunga bunga parties, in 2010, Moroccan-born Karima el Mahroug alias Ruby the Heart Stealer was 17, a year under the legal age for prostitution in Italy. Karima el Mahroug Reports said Berlusconi always claimed the soirees were 'elegant dinners' with an atmosphere of 'good cheer'. But this version of events contrasted wildly with that of the prosecutors, who said Ruby and the other women engaged in nights of lap dancing for Berlusconi cronies. The term "Bunga Bunga" was initially introduced to Berlusconi by former Libyan president Muammar al-Gaddafi, referring to orgies involving prostitutes and powerful leaders. This phrase later gained popularity in the Italian media and was often used humorously in the international press. The parties were infamous for their explicit nature, featuring orgies, skinny dipping, stripteases, and paid entertainment by exotic dancers and even underage women. Eventually, the strippers costumed as nuns, popes, and former US President Barack Obama, told the courts they were handed envelopes with cash and little gold necklaces with butterflies on them as payment at the end of each party. However, they faced criticism from residents of the Olgettina estate in Milan, who claimed that their presence "lowered the tone" of the neighbourhood. The scandal surrounding Berlusconi's sex parties lasted for more than 12 years, with Berlusconi defending himself against the allegations as late as February of this year. However, it took a significant turn in 2010 when Berlusconi was accused of paying Ruby for sex. This accusation brought Berlusconi's private life into the public eye, marking the beginning of a lengthy court battle. Another incident involving Berlusconi unfolded when he telephoned a police station, seeking the release of a woman who had been arrested on suspicion of jewel theft. The woman turned out to be the aforementioned 17-year-old dancer without proper identification. Anything money can buy It would appear that just like other rich men, Berlusconi could afford anything he wanted in life. According to Forbes estimates, Berlusconi had a net worth of $6.8 billion at the time of his death-largely tied up in his investment in media group Fininvest, which owns shares in broadcaster MediaForEurope, publisher Mondadori and Italian bank Banca Mediolanum. On top of that, he gained international recognition as owner of legendary football club AC Milan - which he saved from bankruptcy in 1986 - before going into politics in the 1990s. As one analyst also put it, he was long regarded as Italy's most colourful public figure, was elected prime minister three times and served for a total of nine years, longer than anyone since fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Aside from his public career, Berlusconi was widely known for his colourful personal life, which included numerous spouses, partners, and lovers. His passing has prompted reflections on his controversial and eventful journey. In his later years, Berlusconi faced health challenges. He was hospitalised in April due to a lung infection associated with a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukemia.

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