It was bought through Immobiliare Dueville, a property agency owned by
Fininvest, his holding company.
Mr Apicella denied that there was anything improper about the transaction,
saying it was an act of generosity on the part of Mr Berlusconi, 76.
“Everything is in order,” he told Corriere della Sera on Tuesday. “I
paid all the taxes – you can check.”
He said Mr Berlusconi was “a person who has a great deal of money and
who, generously, wanted to help me out. Is it forbidden to do a favour for a
friend?”
He could see nothing wrong with the fact that the sale had been made in the
midst of a trial in which he testified on behalf of Mr Berlusconi.
Mr Berlusconi, who was forced to resign last November, denies the two charges
he faces in the trial, which resumes on Friday.