Berlusconi: 'Women Are by Nature Exhibitionists'

Embattled former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made a surprise appearance at his own criminal trial today. Berlusconi is not legally required to attend the trial, which concerns the allegation that he hired an underage prostitute. But he showed up anyway to observe and during a break decided to tell journalists outside that "girls … women are by nature exhibitionists," reports the Guardian.

Berlusconi also confirmed to reporters that certain female attendees at his salacious "bunga bunga" parties did indeed dress up as nuns and policewomen but only as part of "burlesque games," notes Reuters. He said he hosted "only elegant dinners, and after dinner sometimes we went down to the theater, my children's former discotheque, where there was an atmosphere of good cheer and affection." Berlusconi is charged with paying for sex with a 17-year-old escort and then abusing his power by getting police to release her on theft charges. (More Silvio Berlusconi stories.)