Italian influencer and entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni has been fully acquitted by the Milan Criminal Court in a fraud case related to charitable campaigns involving the sale of holiday products.

The case, unofficially dubbed «Pandorogate» in the media, concerned the sale of Christmas cakes (pandoro) and Easter chocolate eggs, which were advertised as products where a portion of the proceeds would allegedly go to charity. Buyers were led to believe that their purchases directly supported children’s hospitals and charitable foundations.

However, investigations revealed that the actual donations were not linked to specific sales: a significant portion of the funds had already been transferred before the campaigns began, and consumers received no guarantees that their purchases genuinely increased the amount of aid.

Why Ferragni Was Acquitted

Judge Ilio Mannucci Pacini of the Third Criminal Section noted that the key aggravating factor cited by the prosecution – alleged violation of consumer rights – was not substantiated. The case was downgraded from «aggravated fraud» to ordinary fraud, which in Italy can only be prosecuted upon a formal complaint by the civil party.

The consumer organization Codacons, which had initially filed the complaint, withdrew it about a year ago after Ferragni and her companies reached a settlement and paid compensation. This formed the legal basis for the dismissal of the case and the acquittal.

Multi-Million-Euro Payments and Fines

Before the verdict, Ferragni had already paid over €3.4 million in compensation and fines, including reimbursements to consumers and children’s charities.

Reactions and Consequences

For Ferragni herself, one of Italy’s most famous bloggers with a multi-million following, the decision marked the «end of a nightmare», as she later described the events. The case received wide attention in Italy and abroad, sparking discussions on transparency in influencer marketing campaigns and the boundaries of linking commercial projects with charitable causes.

Nevertheless, the scandal significantly affected Ferragni’s reputation and her businesses: in 2023, Italian antitrust authorities had already fined her companies over €1 million for unfair commercial practices, and her brands’ revenues dropped noticeably.

Photo: Instagram @chiaraferragni

Italian millionaire blogger Chiara Ferragni, who found herself at the center of a Christmas charity scandal, seems to no longer be single. According to media reports, the internet celebrity is dating Giovanni Tronchetti Provera — the heir to the famous Pirelli company.

Rumors about their acquaintance first emerged in the fall when they were spotted together at a restaurant in Milan. They weren’t alone, as Chiara’s family also joined them. However, some sources claim that their first meeting took place back in the summer of 2023 in Ibiza.

They are now seen together more and more often, but they have yet to comment on their relationship status.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera leads a private life and does not share personal details. It is known that he was previously married to businesswoman Nicole Melhausen.

As for Chiara Ferragni, she was married to rapper Fedez, but their marriage ended. On Instagram, Chiara revealed that her husband had been cheating on her for many years. She even claimed that on their wedding day, he called his lover and promised to marry her instead.

The blogger admitted that she kept silent for the sake of their children. Ferragni and Fedez got engaged in May 2017, just six months after meeting, and got married in Sicily on September 1, 2018. They share two children — six-year-old Leone and three-year-old Vittoria.

 Photo: www.ilmessaggero.it

Italy’s most influential blogger, Chiara Ferragni, could face up to five years in prison if found guilty of fraud.

The influencer is accused of misleading her followers while selling a limited holiday edition of Christmas pandoro cakes.

In December 2023, Italy’s competition watchdog AGCM fined the 37-year-old Chiara more than one million euros. The AGCM investigation found that consumers were deceived into believing that by purchasing a Ferragni-branded pandoro, they were contributing to charity for a children’s hospital.

Pandoro is an alternative to the more famous panettone. Ferragni’s pandoro was sold for €9, more than double its usual price at the dessert manufacturer.

AGCM also fined the cake manufacturer Balocco €420,000. According to the regulator, Balocco had made a one-time donation of €50,000 to the hospital several months before launching Pandoro Pink Christmas, meaning that product sales did not actually impact the charitable contribution.

Instead, consumers believed they were helping to fund the purchase of a new therapeutic machine for children suffering from osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma (bone cancer).

The report also states that Ferragni made no personal donations to the hospital, while her companies received €1 million from Balocco for the branding initiative and associated promotional activities.

Ferragni now faces a criminal trial, where a final guilty verdict could result in a prison sentence of one to five years. The first court hearing is set for September 23.

Chiara called the fraud charges «deeply unfair» adding that she «sincerely believed that there was no need for a trial to prove that she never deceived anyone.» She also stated that she is «ready to fight with even greater determination to prove her absolute innocence.»

Ferragni has 28.6 million followers on Instagram. Her business empire, which generates €60 million per year, includes fashion, footwear, and accessories production, online consulting, jewelry, and cosmetics.

 Photo:Instagram @chiaraferragni