Berlusconi cleared in slush fund case

MILAN, Italy, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi won't stand trial on tax fraud charges in a case related to his television empire, a judge in Milan ruled.

Judge Maria Vicidomini dismissed Berlusconi from the Mediaset case Tuesday but ordered his son Pier Silvio, deputy chairman of Mediaset, and company's chairman, Fedele Confalonieri, to stand trial, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The case involves a subsidiary of Mediaset that is accused of fraud and tax evasion relating to the purchase of television rights in the United States.

Nine others are charged along with Confalonieri and Berlusconi's son.

They are accused of skimming millions of dollars from the subsidiary for a secret political slush fund.

"Silvio Berlusconi had no involvement in this affair," his lawyer Niccolo Ghedini told reporters outside the court.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled Dec. 22 in Milan.