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Berlusconi's alleged call girl invited to Vienna Opera Ball

Feb 21, 2011, 14:46 GMT

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Vienna (dpa) - Ruby Rubacuori (Ruby stealer of hearts) is set to attend the Vienna Opera Ball, the Austrian businessman who invited her said Monday, highlighting her celebrity status as a call girl who allegedly frequented Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Vienna construction firm owner and socialite Richard Lugner confirmed that the 18-year-old, whose real name is Karima El Mahroug, would be his paid guest at the glamorous event on March 3.

'She is a really smart girl,' 78-year-old Lugner told the German Press Agency dpa.

Asked why he had invited someone who's only claim to fame is her alleged liaison with Berlusconi when she was still a minor, he said: 'There are always people who want to find a fly in the ointment.'

Berlusconi has been indicted on charges of having sex with an underage prostitute and abusing his position as prime minister to cover up the affair.

Berlusconi and El Mahroug have both denied having had a sexual relation.

Lugner originally invited US actress Bo Derek, but cancelled last week claiming she had asked for unreasonable fees.

Past Italian guests include actresses Sophia Loren and Claudia Cardinale.

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