MILAN–A Milan prosecutor is seeking a two year and six month sentence against the designing duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for allegedly failing to declare �1 billion (US$1.3 billion) in income to tax authorities.Prosecutor Gaetano Ruta told a court during closing arguments yesterday that the pair had evaded taxes on �416 million each and 200 million through a Luxembourg-based company. The statute of limitations ran out on a misrepresenting income charge.
The designers deny the charges. A verdict is expected later this month.A judge two years ago threw out a tax evasion and fraud case against the pair, whose label Dolce&Gabbana is a mainstay of Milan fashion. Italy's high court later ruled the designers could be prosecuted for tax evasion, though not for fraud.
AP