i was really expecting the outcome of this lawsuit, not that Cavalliu could ever do real prison time.. still, he was found guilty and this is what counts
extracts from wwd.com
MILAN — A Florence court on Thursday found Roberto Cavalli guilty of tax evasion and sentenced him to 14 months in prison, but a technicality in Italian law will likely exempt him from actually serving jail time.
Tax authorities initially accused the designer in 2002, claiming Cavalli dodged fiscal responsibilities by booking about 5 billion lire, or $3.14 million at current exchange rates, of costs to restructure his luxurious Tuscan home as company expenses for the fiscal years 1996 through 2000.
Cavalli will appeal, according to a statement from his New York press office. Calling the judgment "unjustified," it said Cavalli's lack of criminal record and the fact the designer doesn't need to start serving his sentence immediately, if ever, will facilitate an appeal.
"As [much as] it is possible to read the grounds for this entirely unjustified ruling, [Cavalli's lawyers] will launch an immediate challenge," the statement said. "The defense counsels are firmly convinced that the crime assumed on the part of the public prosecutor ... [is] utterly groundless and that in the appeal procedure, Mr. Cavalli will, therefore, be acquitted in the fullest terms."
A Cavalli spokeswoman said the designer was traveling and not in the courtroom for the verdict. Italian law allows a judge's discretion in suspending a sentence of less than two years under the pretext that the convicted person won't recommit the same crime.
The firm claims that Cavalli's estate, which includes two swimming pools, a collection of animal-print rugs and centuries-old statues of the Madonna, also serves as the designer's headquarters.
"It was amply proved that the expenses at issue pertained to the running of the company since the designer's residence forms an integral part of his corporate business, in addition to serving as the company's prestigious showroom, where events, fashion shows, displays, photographic services, etc., are held and provided," the statement said...............
extracts from wwd.com