Fabrizio Corona, 49 years old, and his girlfriend Sara Barbieri, 22 years old, in a photo from the Instagram profile of CoronaMilano – The Milan prosecutor’s office has requested a trial for Fabrizio Corona, who was reported over a year ago by a woman for alleged blackmail over an intimate video. The alleged victim, married and with children, had turned to the former celebrity photographer to oversee the publication of her book. A relationship then developed between the two – also documented by the video at the center of the investigation – which led to a civil lawsuit. It is at this point that the alleged blackmail would have occurred.
The search
In April 2022, the former photographer, who had previously been convicted, among other things, for alleged photo-blackmail against celebrities, was subjected to a search by the carabinieri as part of the investigation, following the woman’s complaint, assisted by lawyer Angelo Morreale.
The book, the relationship, and the civil lawsuit
“She wanted to publish a book and it was published,” explained Corona’s lawyer, Ivano Chiesa, “and then, since she was not satisfied with the sales, she took it out on Fabrizio.” The defense pointed out that there had been a relationship between the two, which led to a civil lawsuit. The blackmail attempt would have occurred within the context of that lawsuit. The defense explained that the former king of the paparazzi had told the woman that “if he was forced to defend himself” in the civil proceedings, “their personal relationship would also come to light”, including the video documenting the relationship.
The videos and chats
“Fabrizio,” says his lawyer, “has handed over to the carabinieri the videos and chats between them, he has nothing to hide and there are witnesses.” The lawyer, speaking about the new investigation against Corona, called it a “gigantic hoax.”
Attempted extortion
Instead, the prosecutor’s office – the investigation is entrusted to prosecutor Antonio Cristillo – has dropped the charge of attempted fraud and has closed the investigation, requesting a trial for attempted extortion. Now the decision on whether to proceed with the trial or not will be up to the judge in the preliminary hearing.
