Prosecutors allege the former president and co-conspirators used lies to advance criminal conspiracies to overturn the election. Scholars say distant and recent history show how potent lies can be.
The media mogul turned prime minister left a mark on popular culture, while his coarseness and constant legal woes trashed political norms and tainted Italy's image in the world.
Silvio Berlusconi tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 after returning to his home near Milan after a holiday in Sardinia, according to his staff.
