Berlusconi ‘bribe Senator’ plea-bargains 20 months

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(ANSA) – Naples, October 23 – A former Senator on Wednesday plea-bargained a 20-month sentence over a bribe he said he got from ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi to change sides in 2008.

Sergio De Gregorio will not go to jail because sentences under two years are automatically suspended.

De Gregorio told prosecutors Berlusconi gave him three million euros to pull his support from Romano Prodi’s last centre-left government.

Prodi’s 2006-2008 government fell after losing the support of the Senate, leading to new elections that Berlusconi won.

The three-time premier and media magnate was indicted Wednesday along with a former associate, businessman Walter Lavitola, and will go on trial February 11.

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