Italian newspapers published Wenesday what they said are excerpts from the interrogation of an Italian businessman who allegedly supplied young women for parties at Premier Silvio Berlusconi's homes.
Corriere della Sera and La Stampa quoted from what they said were statements Gianpaolo Tarantini made to prosecutors in Bari this summer.
The businessman is quoted as saying he supplied as many as 30 young women he describes as "image girls" to some 18 parties at Berlusconi's Sardinia villa and Rome residence.
Tarantini reiterated comments that Berlusconi was unaware some women were paid to attend the parties.
He is quoted as telling investigators some women were willing to provide sex "if the need arose." Berlusconi has denied ever paying for sex.
The Bari prosecutor leading the probe was unavailable for comment.
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