Chiara Nava The first hearing before the Milan Civil Court in the €160 million lawsuit filed against Fabrizio Corona by Mediaset and some of its most prominent figures. The television group, along with Pier Silvio Berlusconi, Marina Berlusconi, Maria De Filippi, Silvia Toffanin, Gerry Scotti, Ilary Blasi, and Samira Lui , is seeking compensation for alleged reputational and financial damage, accusing the former photo agent of an alleged campaign of hate and defamation.
The proceedings, initiated last February, specifically concern the content of the January 26 episode of the podcast Falsissimo . At the end of the hearing, Corona responded to reporters, stating, " I take responsibility for everything I said. I'm not afraid ."
The hearing lasted about an hour before Judge Stefania Novelli of the First Civil Section.
The parties' lawyers were present in the courtroom, while the individuals involved in the case did not participate. Mediaset and the other appellants were represented by Andrea Di Porto, Giulia Bongiorno, and Salvatore Pino; Corona and the company Atena, also involved in the proceedings, were represented by Piergiorgio Molinari, Umberto Ilardo, and Laura Bertani.
Fabrizio Corona attacks his lawyers and contests their compensation request.
Upon leaving the courthouse, Fabrizio Corona harshly criticized the financial request made against him , claiming it was excessive. " They're asking me for an amount that's outside the court's limits, and this is a crime ," he told reporters, reiterating that he had already filed a complaint for extortion.
This challenge adds to the objections raised by the defense regarding the procedural aspect. Attorney Umberto Ilardo explained that he challenged the filing of certain evidence, believing it to be late and in violation of the rules of adversarial proceedings. He also called the compensation requests " absolutely disproportionate ," arguing that they could have a deterrent effect contrary to constitutional principles.
Mediaset: "The accusations are grossly defamatory." A decision on the evidence is pending.
The lawyers for Mediaset and the other appellants took a different stance. In a defense brief, they rejected the opposing party's reconstruction, arguing that it did not reflect the gravity of the statements made during the contested episode of Falsissimo . According to the appellants, Corona presented as truthful , grossly defamatory and unfounded accusations and insinuations .
The lawsuit also contests the continuation of the alleged smear campaign through social networks, television appearances, clubs and theatre events, with content that, according to the prosecution, continued to target Mediaset and its best-known personalities.
A judge's decision on the evidence is expected in the coming days . The Cologno Monzese group has already explained that, in the event of compensation, the funds received will be used to establish a fund to cover the legal costs of victims of stalking, crimes included in the so-called Red Code, and cyberbullying.