The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office requested on Tuesday, the 25th, the conviction of influencer Chiara Ferragni A prison sentence of one year and eight months for aggravated fraud. The case involves advertising campaigns linked to products sold with the promise of donating funds to charities.
According to prosecutors Eugenio Fusco and Cristian Barilli, the businesswoman allegedly obtained undue profit of 2,2 million euros, approximately R$ 13,7 million, from the sale of pandoros and Easter eggs between 2021 and 2023.
The products featured the influencer's image and came with the promise that part of the proceeds would be donated to a children's hospital in Turin and an NGO focused on children with disabilities.
The investigation revealed that the donations made before the campaigns were for smaller amounts than those raised in subsequent sales.
The case gained national and international attention. After the allegations were made public, Chiara Ferragni lost advertising contracts and pledged to donate 1 million euros to the hospital and 1,2 million euros to the NGO involved.
Furthermore, it has reached agreements with consumer protection agencies to compensate affected customers.
Nevertheless, the influencer maintains that there was no malicious intent.
"We did everything in good faith, nobody profited from it," Ferragni stated spontaneously in court on Tuesday.
The defense must present its closing arguments at the next hearing.
Francesco Cannillo, president of Cerealitalia, the company responsible for the Easter egg, and Fabio Damato, a former collaborator of Ferragni, were also indicted. The prosecution requested sentences of one year and one year and eight months, respectively.
Alessandra Balocco, president of Balocco, the company responsible for pandoro, was also a defendant in the case, but died during its course.
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