"
BERLUSCONI'S LAWYER CONVICTED
David Mills 'disappointed' by prison sentence in bribe case
(Updates previous coverage).
(ANSA) - London, February 17 - British corporate lawyer David Mills said he was ''very disappointed'' after a Milan court sentenced him to a four-and-a-half-year prison term for taking a bribe to hush up incriminating evidence in trials involving Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
''I am naturally very disappointed by this verdict,'' Mills said in a statement.
''I am innocent, but this is a highly political case. I am hopeful that the verdict and sentence will be set aside on appeal, and am told that I will have excellent grounds,'' said Mills, who had insisted the $600,000 sum came from a Neapolitan businessman.
Under Italian law Mills is entitled to two appeals and the sentence does not become effective until these have been exhausted.
Mills said he had been advised not to make further public comments until the appeals process was completed.
''Meanwhile I am getting on with my professional life,'' he said.
Mills' estranged wife, British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, described the verdict as ''a terrible blow for David''.
''Even though we are separated, I have never doubted his innocence,'' she said.
The pair's marriage broke down in the wake of media pressure after the story came out.
Mills' lawyer, Federico Cecconi, said the sentence was ''illogical''.
Judge Nicoletta Gandus will present reasons for the verdict in a written document at a later date.
Mills exercised his right not to appear in person at the trial.
Berlusconi was previously a co-defendant with Mills in the trial but was struck out of proceedings after an immunity law passed in July by his government suspended his involvement in the case while in office.
The prosecutor in the case has challenged the immunity law in the Constitutional Court.
OPPOSITION CALLS FOR BERLUSCONI TO RESIGN.
News of Mills' conviction in parliament brought calls from opposition politicians for Berlusconi to explain himself.
''In a normal country the premier would already have resigned,'' said Italy of Values (IDV) leader Antonio Di Pietro.
''If Mills has been condemned as corrupt, that means someone was corrupted, but someone else did the corrupting,'' said the former graft-busting prosecutor.
Alessandro Pignatiello of the Italian Communists' Party echoed calls for the premier to ''pack his bags''.
''Mills hasn't been found guilty of stealing sweets from a stranger. Why should he be condemned and his corruptor get off free?'' she said.
A former lawyer for Berlusconi and now an MP in his People of Freedom party, Gaetano Pecorella said the Mills verdict was ''only to be expected''.
''The court's judge is very clearly against Silvio Berlusconi in her political orientations,'' he said.
''Issuing this verdict was perhaps one way of condemning Berlusconi morally when it wasn't possible to do so physically,'' he said.
Last year Berlusconi's legal team attempted to have Gandus removed from the trial on the grounds that she was biased against him and had repeatedly expressed thoughts that revealed ''serious enmity'' towards the premier.
Italy's supreme court rejected the case last month, saying that Gandus's professional conduct both inside and outside the courtroom had been ''correct''.
LETTER SAID MONEY WAS A 'GIFT'.
Prosecutors said Mills had received a $600,000 bribe to hush up incriminating evidence in corruption trials against the premier in 1997 and 1998. In a letter he sent to his accountant in 2004, Mills said the payment was a ''gift'' and that he had saved Berlusconi ''from a great deal of trouble''. ''I told no lies but I turned some very tricky corners,'' the letter said. Mills claims the $600,000 came from another former client, Neapolitan businessman Diego Attanasio.
In a statement presented to the court last month in which Mills denied wrongdoing, he said that both Berlusconi and Attanasio, ''have been victims of my mistakes, although this was not my intention''. ''I have conducted my business badly and I have caused a lot of annoyance to people who did not deserve such problems in any way. But I have never been bribed by anyone,'' he said.
Photo: Judge Nicoletta Gandus reads out Mills' sentence in court Tuesday.
"
33rd year AADHIKAR
0225 GMT Thursday 06 June 2013
AADHIKAR Media Foundation Editor © Muhammad Haque
Founding News Editor
Shah M Azizul Haque
AADHIKAR Media Foundation established with the publication of AADHIKAR the weekly on Monday 19 December 1980 from London E1 UK.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Evidential 'news' item: 'The estranged husband of Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was today convicted of corruption..'
From:
www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1147522/Tessa-Jowells-estranged-husband-David-Mills-jailed-years-corruption-trial.html
Tessa Jowell's estranged husband David Mills sentenced to four years' jail by Italian judge for corruption
By NICK PISA
Last updated at 4:15 PM on 17th February 2009
Comments (9)
Add to My Stories
The estranged husband of Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was today convicted of corruption by an Italian court and sentenced to four-and-a-half years.
Company lawyer David Mills, 64, was convicted after he accepted a £400,000 bribe from controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in exchange for giving favourable evidence in two previous trials.
Prosecutors said Mr Mills used the money on a joint mortgage with Ms Jowell to obtain a property in north London, when details of the case emerged in 2005.
Tessa Jowell's estranged husband David Mills has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail but will remain a free man while he appeals the verdict
Ms Jowell was later cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation by Parliamentary officials but the fact her husband has been convicted will lead to attention once again focusing on the couple.
Ms Jowell said today: 'This is a terrible blow for David and, although we are separated, I have never doubted his innocence.'
Mills said he hoped to be cleared on appeal.
After the verdict he said: 'I am naturally very disappointed by this verdict. I am innocent, but this is a highly political case.
'The judges have not yet given their reasons for their decision, so I cannot say how they dealt with the prosecutor's own admission that he had no proof.
'I am hopeful that the verdict and sentence will be set aside on appeal and am told that I will have excellent grounds, and have every faith in my excellent lawyer, Federico Cecconi.
'The sentence does not become effective for any purpose until two levels of appeal have been concluded. I have been advised not to make any further public comment on the case until it has finally come to an end. Meanwhile, I am getting on with my professional life.'
Mr Mills is accused of receiving a bribe to lie for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, above
The trial started three years ago and at the time Berlusconi was jointly accused but last summer a law was passed which made senior government figures, including the prime minister, immune from prosecution.
However Mr Mills - who was not in court - will not serve any time behind bars as the case will go before two appeal court before a final sentence is passed and that has to be before February 2010 otherwise it passes the deadline for Italy's Statute of Limitations.
Italy also has a sentencing amnesty currently whereby three years is cut from all terms so as to reduce the number of inmates in the country's overcrowded jails.
While sentences of two years or less to people of 'good character' or never normally custodial unless extreme violence, terrorism or Mafia association is involved.
Italy's Court of Cassation in Rome will have the final verdict and could inflict if it feels a higher sentence is required. Unless the system changes overnight it will take on average another three years to reach this stage.
Trial judge Nicoletta Gandus also ordered Mr Mills to pay e250,000 as part of civil case in the same hearing for 'damaging the reputation of the Italian Prime Minister's office'.
Prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale had demanded a four year and eight months jail sentence for Mr Mills while the maximum is twelve years.
Today he said:'The court has spoken, I have nothing else to add.'
The case centred on the so-called 'Dear Bob letter' which Mr Mills wrote to his accountant Bob Drennan in 2004 and which referred to the money as a 'gift' and that he had saved a 'Mr B...from a great deal of trouble.'
In the letter Mr Mills also added: 'I told no lies but I turned some very tricky corners and so kept Mr B out of a great deal of trouble that I would have landed him in had I said all I knew.'
Last month as his legal team summed up his defence Mr Mills wrote to the court and said:'It is right that I should say from the beginning that I have made mistakes, I have carried out my business affairs badly and I have caused bother to a lot of people.
'These people did not deserve the trouble they found themselves but I have never been bribed by anyone, not by Silvio Berlusconi or any other person.
'In the course of my professional activities many people have entrusted themselves to my integrity and none of them has ever had any reason to complain.
'But it is with my deep regret that I have to say Mr Diego Attanasio (a shipping tycoon who he claims gave him the money) and Mr Berlusconi have been the victims of my mistakes.
'Therefore I take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to both of them for any inconvenience that I have caused.'
Mr Berlusconi's government passed a controversial law known as the Alfano law - after the country's justice minister - last summer which makes him and other senior political figures immune from prosecution while in office.
Both he and Mr Mills are involved in another trial in Milan for tax evasion over the sale of TV rights from the Italian politician's TV empire but this has been put on hold temporarily.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica said the sentence caused a 'dark shadow over Berlusconi's behaviour even if he was not in the trial'.
Mr Mills lawyer Federico Cecconi said:'This was a trial where if the co accused was not who he was it would have been heard in a far more serene manner.'
Mr Attanasio told the court that he was a client of Mr Mills but could not have paid him the money as he was himself in jail at the time.
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Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below?
If found guilty will the Government order his extradition?
Click to rate Rating 70 - Andy, Worthing, 17/2/2009 12:06
Pam, Plymouth, without saying that Italy is free of corruption just take a look closer at home.
Cash for Honours.
BAE systems investigatiion stopped.
Bernie Eccleston affair.
Mandy and Robinsons.
Blunkett and lover.
And on and on. None of these include whitewas and rigged reports and investigations and now we get lies about the economy and how we got here.
This illustrates that this Government is in no position to take the moral high ground, and I haven't even mentioned Mr Mills wife Ms Jowell.
Sorry Pat but bricks and glass houses come to mind.
Click to rate Rating 82 - Frank Spence, Maidstone, England, 17/2/2009 12:06
Hilarious! I really do not think that this couple are estranged either. Spin, spin, spin.
Click to rate Rating 104 - Kathy, Vale of Glamogan, Wales., 17/2/2009 11:34
www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1147522/Tessa-Jowells-estranged-husband-David-Mills-jailed-years-corruption-trial.html
Tessa Jowell's estranged husband David Mills sentenced to four years' jail by Italian judge for corruption
By NICK PISA
Last updated at 4:15 PM on 17th February 2009
Comments (9)
Add to My Stories
The estranged husband of Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was today convicted of corruption by an Italian court and sentenced to four-and-a-half years.
Company lawyer David Mills, 64, was convicted after he accepted a £400,000 bribe from controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in exchange for giving favourable evidence in two previous trials.
Prosecutors said Mr Mills used the money on a joint mortgage with Ms Jowell to obtain a property in north London, when details of the case emerged in 2005.
Tessa Jowell's estranged husband David Mills has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail but will remain a free man while he appeals the verdict
Ms Jowell was later cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation by Parliamentary officials but the fact her husband has been convicted will lead to attention once again focusing on the couple.
Ms Jowell said today: 'This is a terrible blow for David and, although we are separated, I have never doubted his innocence.'
Mills said he hoped to be cleared on appeal.
After the verdict he said: 'I am naturally very disappointed by this verdict. I am innocent, but this is a highly political case.
'The judges have not yet given their reasons for their decision, so I cannot say how they dealt with the prosecutor's own admission that he had no proof.
'I am hopeful that the verdict and sentence will be set aside on appeal and am told that I will have excellent grounds, and have every faith in my excellent lawyer, Federico Cecconi.
'The sentence does not become effective for any purpose until two levels of appeal have been concluded. I have been advised not to make any further public comment on the case until it has finally come to an end. Meanwhile, I am getting on with my professional life.'
Mr Mills is accused of receiving a bribe to lie for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, above
The trial started three years ago and at the time Berlusconi was jointly accused but last summer a law was passed which made senior government figures, including the prime minister, immune from prosecution.
However Mr Mills - who was not in court - will not serve any time behind bars as the case will go before two appeal court before a final sentence is passed and that has to be before February 2010 otherwise it passes the deadline for Italy's Statute of Limitations.
Italy also has a sentencing amnesty currently whereby three years is cut from all terms so as to reduce the number of inmates in the country's overcrowded jails.
While sentences of two years or less to people of 'good character' or never normally custodial unless extreme violence, terrorism or Mafia association is involved.
Italy's Court of Cassation in Rome will have the final verdict and could inflict if it feels a higher sentence is required. Unless the system changes overnight it will take on average another three years to reach this stage.
Trial judge Nicoletta Gandus also ordered Mr Mills to pay e250,000 as part of civil case in the same hearing for 'damaging the reputation of the Italian Prime Minister's office'.
Prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale had demanded a four year and eight months jail sentence for Mr Mills while the maximum is twelve years.
Today he said:'The court has spoken, I have nothing else to add.'
The case centred on the so-called 'Dear Bob letter' which Mr Mills wrote to his accountant Bob Drennan in 2004 and which referred to the money as a 'gift' and that he had saved a 'Mr B...from a great deal of trouble.'
In the letter Mr Mills also added: 'I told no lies but I turned some very tricky corners and so kept Mr B out of a great deal of trouble that I would have landed him in had I said all I knew.'
Last month as his legal team summed up his defence Mr Mills wrote to the court and said:'It is right that I should say from the beginning that I have made mistakes, I have carried out my business affairs badly and I have caused bother to a lot of people.
'These people did not deserve the trouble they found themselves but I have never been bribed by anyone, not by Silvio Berlusconi or any other person.
'In the course of my professional activities many people have entrusted themselves to my integrity and none of them has ever had any reason to complain.
'But it is with my deep regret that I have to say Mr Diego Attanasio (a shipping tycoon who he claims gave him the money) and Mr Berlusconi have been the victims of my mistakes.
'Therefore I take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to both of them for any inconvenience that I have caused.'
Mr Berlusconi's government passed a controversial law known as the Alfano law - after the country's justice minister - last summer which makes him and other senior political figures immune from prosecution while in office.
Both he and Mr Mills are involved in another trial in Milan for tax evasion over the sale of TV rights from the Italian politician's TV empire but this has been put on hold temporarily.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica said the sentence caused a 'dark shadow over Berlusconi's behaviour even if he was not in the trial'.
Mr Mills lawyer Federico Cecconi said:'This was a trial where if the co accused was not who he was it would have been heard in a far more serene manner.'
Mr Attanasio told the court that he was a client of Mr Mills but could not have paid him the money as he was himself in jail at the time.
Print this article Read later Email to a friend
Share this article:
Digg itDel.icio.usRedditNewsvineNowpublicStumbleUponFacebookMySpaceFark
View moreAdd your comments Comments (9)
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below?
If found guilty will the Government order his extradition?
Click to rate Rating 70 - Andy, Worthing, 17/2/2009 12:06
Pam, Plymouth, without saying that Italy is free of corruption just take a look closer at home.
Cash for Honours.
BAE systems investigatiion stopped.
Bernie Eccleston affair.
Mandy and Robinsons.
Blunkett and lover.
And on and on. None of these include whitewas and rigged reports and investigations and now we get lies about the economy and how we got here.
This illustrates that this Government is in no position to take the moral high ground, and I haven't even mentioned Mr Mills wife Ms Jowell.
Sorry Pat but bricks and glass houses come to mind.
Click to rate Rating 82 - Frank Spence, Maidstone, England, 17/2/2009 12:06
Hilarious! I really do not think that this couple are estranged either. Spin, spin, spin.
Click to rate Rating 104 - Kathy, Vale of Glamogan, Wales., 17/2/2009 11:34
KHOODEELAAR! Questions UK Tory David Cameron on the latest exhibition of irrationality, contradictions and plain irresponsibility as shown by Cameron’
1530 Hrs GMT London Tuesday 17 February 2009: KHOODEELAAR! Questions UK Tory David Cameron on the latest exhibition of irrationality, contradictions and plain irresponsibility as shown by Cameron’s ‘Party’ and by his ‘flag ship Tory’ [!!!!!!!!!!!!!] Boris Johnson, notoriously the ‘most powerful Tory’ in the land at the present time.…...