Dolce and Gabbana get jail sentence for tax evasionJune 19, 2013 - 20:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been sentenced to jail in Italy for one year and eight months for tax evasion, BBC News reported. The pair were not at the trial and deny the charges. They are accused of hiding millions of euros from Italian tax authorities. Dolce and Gabbana have not yet given a public comment on the sentence and are likely to appeal the verdict. They are said to be unlikely to go to jail any time soon. Their customers have included Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Bryan Ferry. The investigation by the Italian authorities began around six years ago as part of a government plan to crack down on tax avoidance. At the hearing on Wednesday, June 19, the judge ruled that the designers moved their brand to a Luxembourg-based holding company Gado in 2004. He said they had done this to avoid declaring taxes on royalties of around 1 billion euros ($1.3bn). Prosecutors alleged they sold the business for well below actual market value. They were initially cleared of the charges at a previous trial in April 2011 but Italy's highest court overturned that ruling, ordering that the case should be sent back. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event. Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims. Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |