Berlusconi faces verdict in sex-for-hire trial

Milan: Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi faces a verdict in his sensational sex-for-hire trial, charges that could bring an end to his two-decade political career.

Berlusconi is charged with paying an under-age Moroccan teen for sex and then trying to cover it up with phone calls to Milan police officials when she was picked up for alleged theft. Berlusconi and the woman deny having had sex with each other. [caption id=“attachment_900517” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Nicole Minetti attends a hearing of a trial of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. AP image[/caption] A court is expected to deliver a verdict Monday. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year jail term and a lifetime ban from politics. Berlusconi holds no official posts in the current Italian government, but remains influential in the uneasy cross-party coalition that emerged after inconclusive February elections. Berlusconi’s tax fraud conviction and four-year prison sentence were upheld on a first appeal. AP