Menu
17/02/2009
Mills Sentenced In Italian Bribery Case
The estranged husband of UK minister Tessa Jowell has today been found guilty of accepting bribes from the Italian Prime Minister.
British tax lawyer David Mills has been sentenced to four and a half years for accepting about £400,000 of bribes from Silvio Berlusconi to give false evidence in corruption trials.
He was also ordered to pay £231,000 damages claim brought against the Italian government for causing "moral damage to the office of the Prime Minister".
Mills, 64, has been on trial for three years on the charges.
Mr Berlusconi was originally accused of corruption, however, he denies the claim and was removed from the case after passing a law making himself immune from prosecution.
Mr Mills was one of the Italian PM's consultants on offshore tax havens.
After the verdict, Mills, was not in court, said he would appeal the decision, adding he was "very disappointed" at the sentence delivered in a Milan court.
Prosecutors alleged the 64-year-old used the cash to help pay off a joint mortgage he held with his wife of the time, British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.
Mr Mills said in a statement: "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.
He concluded: "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."
(JM/BMcC)
British tax lawyer David Mills has been sentenced to four and a half years for accepting about £400,000 of bribes from Silvio Berlusconi to give false evidence in corruption trials.
He was also ordered to pay £231,000 damages claim brought against the Italian government for causing "moral damage to the office of the Prime Minister".
Mills, 64, has been on trial for three years on the charges.
Mr Berlusconi was originally accused of corruption, however, he denies the claim and was removed from the case after passing a law making himself immune from prosecution.
Mr Mills was one of the Italian PM's consultants on offshore tax havens.
After the verdict, Mills, was not in court, said he would appeal the decision, adding he was "very disappointed" at the sentence delivered in a Milan court.
Prosecutors alleged the 64-year-old used the cash to help pay off a joint mortgage he held with his wife of the time, British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.
Mr Mills said in a statement: "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.
He concluded: "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."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 March 2006
Italian prosecutors request Mills and Berlusconi face corruption charges
Prosecutors in Italy have asked a judge to allow Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British lawyer to be tried on corruption charges. It has been alleged that Mr Berlusconi paid Mr Mills around £344,000 in 1997, in exchange for giving false testimony in two corruption trials in the late Nineties.
Italian prosecutors request Mills and Berlusconi face corruption charges
Prosecutors in Italy have asked a judge to allow Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British lawyer to be tried on corruption charges. It has been alleged that Mr Berlusconi paid Mr Mills around £344,000 in 1997, in exchange for giving false testimony in two corruption trials in the late Nineties.
21 July 2015
Man Arrested After Train Hits Car
A man has been arrested after a train hit an empty car on a level crossing. It is understood the CrossCountry train, which was carrying 42 people, smashed into the vehicle at Clay Mills, near Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire at around 7.25pm on Monday, 20 July. No injuries have been reported.
Man Arrested After Train Hits Car
A man has been arrested after a train hit an empty car on a level crossing. It is understood the CrossCountry train, which was carrying 42 people, smashed into the vehicle at Clay Mills, near Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire at around 7.25pm on Monday, 20 July. No injuries have been reported.
24 October 2006
Heather Mills McCartney to sue newspapers over 'false' divorce speculation
Heather Mills McCartney is to sue two newspapers over 'false, damaging and immensely upsetting' statements surrounding her divorce to Sir Paul McCartney. Solicitor Mishcon de Reya named the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard as the subject of legal proceedings. Legal action will also be taken against The Sun.
Heather Mills McCartney to sue newspapers over 'false' divorce speculation
Heather Mills McCartney is to sue two newspapers over 'false, damaging and immensely upsetting' statements surrounding her divorce to Sir Paul McCartney. Solicitor Mishcon de Reya named the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard as the subject of legal proceedings. Legal action will also be taken against The Sun.
13 February 2006
German coach crash claims third victim
A secretary at a Norfolk school has become the third victim of Saturday's coach crash in Germany. Jane Irving, 53, a mother-of-two who was seriously injured in the crash lost her battle for life in the early hours of Monday morning. Her close family were with her in Cologne when she died.
German coach crash claims third victim
A secretary at a Norfolk school has become the third victim of Saturday's coach crash in Germany. Jane Irving, 53, a mother-of-two who was seriously injured in the crash lost her battle for life in the early hours of Monday morning. Her close family were with her in Cologne when she died.
18 March 2008
Mills Loses Settlement Publication Appeal
Heather Mills' return to court to appeal publication of her £24.3 million settlement with ex-husband, Sir Paul McCartney has been unsuccessful. Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in its entirety after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against the publication.
Mills Loses Settlement Publication Appeal
Heather Mills' return to court to appeal publication of her £24.3 million settlement with ex-husband, Sir Paul McCartney has been unsuccessful. Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in its entirety after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against the publication.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A few bright spells at first and any showers gradually dying out. Low cloud and mist or drizzle over northern coastal parts will spread south to most areas overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
