Berlusconi: seven years in prison and barred from public office for life.

MILAN (AP) — A Milan court has convicted former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi of paying for sex with an under-age prostitute during infamous "bunga bunga" parties at his villa and then using his influence to try to cover it up.

Berlusconi, 76, was sentenced to seven years in prison and barred from public office for life. The ban on holding office could mean the end of Berlusconi's two-decade political career. However, there are two more levels of appeal before the sentence would become final. Berlusconi will not have to serve any jail time unless the sentence is confirmed on appeal.

Berlusconi holds no official post in the current Italian government, but remains influential in the uneasy cross-party coalition that emerged after inconclusive February elections. Both he and the Moroccan woman at the center of the scandal have denied ever having sex.
"I already know they want to get me out of the way", says Berlusconi. His mood is said to be black and he is braced for the worst... (Di Caro, Corriere della Sera)