Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Italian court sentenced Lazio president Claudio Lotito to two years in prison today for stock-market rigging and failing to disclose the extent of his shareholding in the club.
Milan prosecutors had argued that when construction magnate Roberto Mezzaroma bought 14.6 per cent of Lazio shares on 30 June, 2005, he was really purchasing on behalf of Lotito.
They said Lotito, who helped save Lazio from financial ruin when he bought the Rome club in 2004, did not disclose that he was behind the additional share purchase because that would have forced him to launch a bid for all the club's shares.
Mezzaroma was given a 20-month jail sentence and fined 55,000 euros ($69,560). Lotito was handed a 65,000-euro fine in addition to the jail sentence.
First jail terms in Italy do not start until an appeals process is exhausted. Judicial sources said Lotito and Mezzaroma were unlikely to serve the jail sentence because of a 2006 pardon by the government.
"We are shocked and confident that the court of appeal will recognise their innocence," the men's lawyers, Gian Michele Gentile and Matteo Uslenghi, were quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport's website (www.gazzetta.it).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments