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Milan Court Dismisses Aggravated Fraud Case Against Chiara Ferragni in ‘Pandoro‑Gate

The judge rejected the “minorata difesa” aggravating factor, leaving only a fraud count that could not proceed after key complaints were withdrawn.

Overview

  • Judge Ilio Mannucci Pacini of Milan’s Third Criminal Section issued a non‑prosecution ruling under the abbreviated procedure, extending the dismissal to co‑defendants Fabio Maria Damato and Francesco Cannillo.
  • With the aggravation excluded, the allegation was reclassified as simple fraud, which requires a querela, and the offense was declared extinct after consumer groups withdrew their complaints following settlements.
  • Ferragni had already paid about €3.4 million in sanctions, donations and compensation related to the Balocco pandoro and Dolci Preziosi Easter egg campaigns.
  • Prosecutors Eugenio Fusco and Cristian Barilli had sought a one‑year‑eight‑month sentence, alleging misleading charity‑linked marketing and unjust profits of roughly €2.2 million.
  • The criminal chapter is closed, though the episode continues to raise questions about influencer marketing transparency and the business fallout surrounding Ferragni’s ventures.