MILAN, Italy, May 24 (UPI) -- Karima El Mahroug Friday denied in court former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi paid her for sex.
The young Moroccan woman, who used the name "Ruby Heartstealer" when she was an exotic dancer, told the court in Milan she "told a bunch of baloney before, and I am sorry I did it," the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
El Mahroug denied having sex with Berlusconi or with Real Madrid soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo for money.
"I never prostituted myself to someone so objectively handsome [as Ronaldo], so go figure if I did so with Berlusconi and others," she said at the trial for retired TV anchorman Emilio Fede, ex-talent scout Lele Mora and Nicole Minetti, the ex-premier's former dental hygienist. They're on trial for allegedly procuring women for sex for Berlusconi.
"I am here today to tell the truth," El Mahroug said
El Mahroug, who was one year under the legal age for prostitution when she allegedly was involved with Berlusconi, testified she had lied to investigators three years ago. It wasn't clear what aspects of her previous accounts of her relationship with the former premier were "baloney."
Berlusconi has denied having sex with El Mahroug and maintains he has been targeted for political reasons.
