Innocent Briatore, he did not defraud the taxman with the yacht

The Genoa Court of Appeal acquitted Flavio Briatore and three other people "because the fact does not constitute a crime" in the trial on the Force Blue yacht affair. Briatore was on trial for a tax evasion of over 3 million on VAT and for the charter business. The maxi yacht was seized in 2010, off the coast of La Spezia, while the manager was on board with Elisabetta Gregoraci and her son. The judges revoked the confiscation of the boat and the 3 million and 600 thousand euros. The Cassation had overturned the sentence of the Court of Appeal which sentenced Briatore to 18 months and had ordered a new trial. The prosecutor general had also asked for the acquittal and the revocation of the confiscation. The sentence thus becomes final. As regards confiscation, however, theState Attorney could challenge the decision. The Force Blue was sold at auction a year ago and was won by former Formula 1 owner Bernie Ecclestone for seven million against an estimate of 20 million. The Supreme Court had twice annulled the decisions of the Genoese magistrates