Overview
- Judge Ilio Mannucci Pacini of the Third Criminal Section delivered the 14 January 2026 decision in the fast‑track proceeding.
- The court did not recognize the alleged aggravating circumstance, requalifying the charge to simple fraud that required a querela later withdrawn after settlements.
- Ferragni and co‑defendants Fabio Damato and Francesco Cannillo were relieved of the charges through proscioglimento for extinction of the offence.
- Prosecutors Eugenio Fusco and Cristian Barilli had sought one year and eight months for Ferragni and Damato, and one year for Cannillo, over charity‑linked promotions of Balocco pandoro and Dolci Preziosi Easter eggs.
- Investigators had alleged about €2.2 million in unjust profit; prior to the verdict, AGCM fined Ferragni’s firms €1 million and Balocco €420,000, and Ferragni’s side paid roughly €3.4 million in donations and compensation tied to withdrawn complaints.