Berlusconi's extravagance for his starlets is boundless

It is said the rich stay rich by never spending anything. Italy's playboy premier Silvio Berlusconi is very rich indeed. But while you might accuse him of various vices - as Milan's prosecutors are currently doing - parsimony isn't one of them.

Bank details leaked from magistrates investigating his private life - and the nature of his relationship with teenage bellydancer Karima "Ruby" El Mahroug - reveal a man who splashed €34 million ($64.2 million) last year.

The usual billionaire's expenses of helicopter flights and maintaining luxury Caribbean estates figure on the Berlusconi bank statement. And his generosity is evident in the gifts to friends and colleagues - such as the wedding present of €40,000 he gave to one of his secretaries. Most remarkable, however - and of interest to prosecutors - are the gifts and money he showers on young starlets who attend his infamous parties. The records suggest he gave €562,000 to 14 young women in 2010.

Earlier leaks from magistrates suggest El Mahroug alone has received gifts and cash worth nearly €200,000, including two Rolex watches worth €60,000 and a €12,000 diamond necklace. Berlusconi is due to stand trial, charged with paying to have sex with her while she was still 17, and abusing his office to cover up the act.

Berlusconi's leaked accounts also reveal TV starlet Alessandra Sorcinelli received €115,000 from the premier, while showgirl Angela Sozio picked up €100,000.

BERLUSCONI'S GIFTS

* €34m Berlusconi's outgoings in 2010. Investigators are yet to discover what he spent half this amount on.

* €562,000 The cash value of his gifts to 14 young women.

* €900,000 Amount paid to maintain his home in Antigua.

- INDEPENDENT