ROME — The Italian parliament on Thursday rebuffed prosecutors' request to search some of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's properties as part of a prostitution probe targeting him, giving the embattled leader a much-needed victory.
Milan prosecutors allege that Berlusconi paid for sex with a minor and then used his office to cover it up. They wanted to search the offices of a Berlusconi accountant, Giuseppe Spinelli, who allegedly handled payments on behalf of the premier to the minor as well as other payments to a number of young women who attended parties at his villas.
The premier has denied wrongdoing.
