Charges recommended in Rome fountain prank

ROME, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A man is now facing charges of defacing a monument for making the water in Rome's historic Trevi Fountain run red, sources said Monday.

Unidentified judicial sources said prosecutors have recommended Graziano Cecchini, 54, be charged in relation to the 2007 prank, but should avoid more serious charges since the red dye did not permanently damage the famed fountain, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Cecchini has confessed to defacing the fountain by throwing red dye into its water supply Oct. 19, 2007, saying it was an act to draw attention to lower-class workers in Italy.

The confessed prankster apparently followed up the prank during the Rome Film Festival with a prank on Jan. 16 that also involved vivid colors. Authorities allege that Cecchini was responsible for releasing nearly 500,000 colored balls at the Spanish Steps in Rome, ANSA reported.

He is facing charges of creating a public mess and stopping traffic in relation to this year's prank, the news agency said.