Berlusconi: Parties really burlesque shows

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MILAN, Italy, April 20 (UPI) -- Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Friday alleged sex parties at his home were nothing more than "burlesque shows."

Berlusconi is on trial in Milan for paying to have sex with Karima "Ruby" El Mahroug, an underage girl from Morocco, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

During a trial recess Friday Berlusconi said the alleged sex parties at his home were purely entertainment.

"They were burlesque shows," he said, calling them "elegant" affairs.

Moroccan model Imane Fadil testified Monday that she was offered $2,642 to stay the night after one of the so-called burlesque shows. She also testified Nicole Minetti, one of three people charged with supplying Berlusconi with prostitutes, orchestrated such events.

"Minetti organized the evenings," said Fadil, who described one "burlesque" performance as a sort of "Sister Act sexy dance in the bunga-bunga room," with Minetti and another model dressed in "black habits with a white cross on the headdress."

She also said she saw a young Brazilian model "with an AC Milan jersey and a Ronaldinho mask who stripped down to her thong."

Bankrupt talent scout Lele Mora and long-time Berlusconi news anchor Emilio Fede are accused of supplying prostitutes along with Minetti.

Prosecutors have alleged Berlusconi had sex with 33 prostitutes at his home over the course of several evenings at the parties.

Berlusconi has denied the charges against him, saying, "33 women in two months is too many even for someone who likes pretty girls, like me."