Making him do community service ‘ridiculous’ says Berlusconi

(ANSA) – Rome, December 4 – Three-time premier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday a person of his stature is above doing community service, which he is expected to do following a tax-fraud conviction.

“It is almost unthinkable that a citizen of my age, one who has been a businessman, the owner of a soccer team and a politician, should be considered in need of rehabilitation by talking to social workers,” Berlusconi said at a book launch for journalist Bruno Vespa. “It’s a ridiculous thing, ridiculous for the country,” he added.

The Senate last week voted to eject the billionaire media mogul following a binding, four-year sentence for fraud at his Mediaset group from the supreme Cassation Court. The sentence was commuted to one year for an amnesty, which the 77-year-old has said he will opt to spend performing community service.