Italian fashion influencer and entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni was indicted over alleged fraud linked to charity-themed Christmas and Easter products, her defence team confirmed on Wednesday.
Ferragni, 37, rose to fame as a fashion blogger before building a multimillion-euro empire spanning clothing lines, social media endorsements, and business ventures. She has 28.6million Instagram followers and is one of Italy’s most recognisable public figures. Ferragni was indicted for alleged fraud
The case centres on allegations of misleading advertising related to the sale of a Balocco ‘Pink Christmas’ Pandoro and Dolci Preziosi Easter eggs in 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors claim the products were marketed at inflated prices under the guise of charity initiatives.
Ferragni criticised the decision to indict her. “I honestly believed that it was not necessary to hold a trial to prove that I never defrauded anyone,” she said. “Unfortunately, I will have to live with this accusation, which I consider profoundly unfair, still for some time. But I am ready to fight with even greater determination to prove my absolute innocence.”
In December, Ferragni donated €200,000 to victims of gender violence as part of an agreement with consumer group CODACONS, which withdrew its complaint over the charity products.
