Ex-model deemed the ‘Queen Bee’ of Silvio Berlusconi’s female admirers is sentenced to 16 months in prison for supplying prostitutes for his bunga bunga parties 

  • Sabina Began was nicknamed the 'Queen Bee' of Berlusconi's admirers 
  • She told the court the-then prime minister of Italy was her 'boyfriend'
  • German model is accused of supplying escorts for private parties in Rome 
  • But she said she had only arranged 'many dinners' for Mr Berlusconi

By Hannah Roberts for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

An ex-model nicknamed the ‘Queen Bee’ of Silvio Berlusconi's troupe of showgirls has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for recruiting prostitutes for his debauched ‘bunga bunga’ parties.

Sabina Began has admitted having sex with the former Italian prime minister, claiming he was her ‘boyfriend’ who she later saw as a ‘father figure’ - but claimed she merely organised dinners with attractive models and TV presenters to please him.

Miss Began was on trial in Bari as part of a group of people accused of supplying prostitutes at parties at Mr Berlusconi’s Rome palazzo, while he was still prime minister.

Silvio Berlusconi's (pictured)
Sabina Began (pictured), who was nicknamed the 'Queen Bee' of Silvio Berlusconi's female admirers has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for recruiting prostitutes for his debauched ‘bunga bunga’ parties

Sabina Began (right), who was nicknamed the 'Queen Bee' of Silvio Berlusconi's (left) female admirers has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for recruiting prostitutes for his debauched ‘bunga bunga’ parties

Mr Berlusconi, 79, is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Entrepreneur Giampaolo Tarantini, was sentenced to seven years, ten months, for pimping for Berlusconi. 

Two showgirls, who attended the parties, Francesca Lana and Letizia Filippi were acquitted.

Prosecutors said the starlets were ‘lured’ to Palazzo Grazioli with the prospect of landing jobs in show business through Berlusconi’s Mediaset television company.

Miss Began wept in court earlier this week saying Berlusconi was ‘a wonderful man, marvellous’.

Miss Began described Mr Berlusconi as a 'boyfriend' who then became a father figure to her
Sabina Began

Miss Began described Mr Berlusconi as a 'boyfriend' who then became a father figure to her

Mr Berlusconi is not accused of wrongdoing in this trial, which has lasted for more than two years

Mr Berlusconi is not accused of wrongdoing in this trial, which has lasted for more than two years

‘I loved this man very much and I would have done anything for him. When you love someone you dedicate your life to them. I wanted to defend the prime minister. I even said I took part in bunga bunga but everyone knows that is not true.’

She said she had arranged ‘many dinners’ for Mr Berlusconi because she wanted to please him.

Berlusconi was acquitted of sex with underage prostitute Ruby the Heart Stealer but it is currently banned from holding public office because of a conviction for tax fraud.  

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