Overview

• The first closed-door session opened in Milan, with Chiara Ferragni and co-defendants Fabio Maria D'Amato and Francesco Cannillo absent as Judge Ilio Mannucci Pacini convened the technical hearing.
• The court set 4 November to decide on civil-party admissions and to consider alternative procedures such as an abbreviated trial or plea, with the timetable projecting a final hearing on 14 January.
• Prosecutors allege 2021–2022 promotions implied buyers would directly support specific charities, while companies paid fixed sums of €50,000 and €21,000 plus VAT, yielding an alleged unjust profit of about €2.2 million and image benefits for Ferragni.
• Ferragni has already paid roughly €3.4 million through Antitrust sanctions and donations, including €1 million to the Regina Margherita hospital and €200,000 to Caritas, alongside €150 per buyer in a settlement that led Codacons to withdraw its complaint.
• The position of Alessandra Balocco was archived following her death, while Adicu, Casa del consumatore and a 76-year-old Avellino woman who bought Ferragni-branded pandoro have moved to join the case as civil parties.