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In 2018, the term "influencer" entered the Zingarelli dictionary, and the subsequent year, the term "Ferragnez," the nickname of the now-formerly famous Ferragni-Fedez couple, was added to the Treccani encyclopedia. For years, in Italy, the phrase "influencer" has rhymed with Chiara Ferragni, at least until the infamous "Pandorogate" investigation ruined her image, possibly forever. However, payback has arrived: the Lombard entrepreneur and blogger has been cleared following an expedited trial in connection with the well-known Pink Christmas Pandoro and Easter egg cases. The Milan judges acquitted her, her former right-hand man Fabio Damato, and Francesco Cannillo, Cerealitalia's board chairman, on the grounds of inadmissibility. The entrepreneur was not charged with the aggravating circumstance of "weakened defense" in online fraud (i.e., concrete evidence that the digital environment created a specific vulnerability for the victim, such as the seller's distance and opaqueness), resulting in the crime being downgraded to simple fraud, which is prosecutable only upon complaint (the complaint had been filed but was dismissed after the influencer paid compensation). Prosecutors had demanded a one-year and eight-month sentence because the influencer allegedly deceived consumers by profiting unfairly from the sale of charitable products between 2021 and 2022. “I thank my followers", the entrepreneur stated, addressing reporters after the sentencing. "Their constant support has meant everything to me: we are all emotional, a nightmare has ended, and I am happy to take my life back and reclaim my voice. Throughout this period, I have lost few people; those who truly matter have consistently stood by my side". "Over these two years, I have admired her for her exemplary conduct; she serves as a role model for respect—initially towards public administration and subsequently towards judicial authorities—and her integrity has been rewarded with justice", remarked Giuseppe Iannaccone, the influencer's legal counsel. “Technically, she was dismissed, not acquitted", commented journalist Selvaggia Lucarelli in a cryptic Instagram post.
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