MILAN — An Italian appeals court on Friday acquitted former Premier Silvio Berlusconi in a sex-for-hire case, reversing a lower court conviction that had carried a seven-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban on holding political office. The case revealed details of raunchy, sex-fueled bunga-bunga parties at his private villa attended by a bevy of aspiring showgirls. The prosecution had alleged that Berlusconi had paid for sex with an underage prostitute and then using his influence to cover it up. He denied the charges. Acquittal came just as Berlusconi was leaving a facility for Alzheimer's patients where he is performing a sentence of community service in a separate tax fraud conviction. That is the only case finalized against Berlusconi, who faces dozens of trials, mostly for his business dealings. Prosecutors can challenge Friday's acquittal in Italy's highest criminal court, the Court of Cassation. – AP
