Chiara Ferragni, an influential figure in the fashion industry, has been acquitted of aggravated fraud, putting an end to a long and public legal battle involving an alleged charity cake scam. The influencer was accused of misleading customers about the sale of specially designed pink pandoro cakes, which were purportedly benefitting a children's hospital in Turin.
After a fast-tracked trial in Milan, a judge ruled in favor of Ferragni and two other defendants, declaring them not guilty. Had she been convicted, the consequences could have included a prison sentence. Today marks the end of a nightmare that lasted two years, Ferragni told reporters following the verdict.
The controversy, dubbed pandorogate, surfaced after consumers were led to believe that profits from the cake sales would support the hospital. Investigative findings revealed that the cake producer, Balocco, had only made a one-time donation to the hospital prior to the product's release.
Despite generating €1 million from the marketing of these cakes, Ferragni committed to donating an equal amount to the hospital after public backlash ensued. Later, she faced further scrutiny, receiving a €1 million fine from Italy's competition authority and vowing to make payments to various charities, including a €1.2 million settlement for misleading sale claims associated with Easter eggs.
In court, prosecutors had pushed for a prison sentence of one year and eight months for Ferragni. However, the defense successfully argued that circumstances did not warrant aggravated charges due to the withdrawal of initial consumer complaints. Additionally, Ferragni had already reached an agreement with a consumer organization to compensate affected buyers and support a charity for women who experienced gender violence.
While she emerged victorious from the trial, the fallout from the scandal has taken a toll on Ferragni's public image and personal relationships, notably contributing to her split from rapper Fedez last year. The case has also prompted Italian regulators to mandate stricter transparency measures for influencers involved in fundraising activities.
