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Berlusconi Could Face Corruption Charges

Following a request from prosecutors, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the husband of a UK minister could face trial in Italy. According to news reports, it is alleged that David Mills ? who was married to UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, though they couple recently filed for divorce ? was paid a bribe by Berlusconi after giving helpful testimony in two trials.

The request for charges follows an 18-month investigation. Both Mills and Berlusconi deny the allegations, which come weeks before Italian elections. Mr. Mills, who was a lawyer for Mr. Berlusconi in the 1990s, is said to have received a gift of 344,000 GB pounds from the Italian prime minister in 1997 as payment for not revealing details of the prime minister`s media empire, Mediaset.

In a separate case, Berlusconi, Mills and 12 others are accused of tax fraud and embezzlement involving Mediaset. All the defendants deny the charges. Milan prosecutors hope to get a preliminary trial date in May. A spokesman for Berlusconi, though, said the corruption allegations are "false theories."