The dark secret of the Gucci family: Heir accuses ex-man with sexual abuse

Alexandra Zarini, 35-year-old niece of Aldo Gucci, the man who turned a small Italian artisan company into a global fashion brand, has set up a court trial in an American court claiming her stepfather has sexually abused her for a period of 16 years.

The indictment, presented at a court in Los Angeles, describes years of sexual abuse by the former stepfather, Joseph Ruffalo, and her mother's co-operation and hiding, Patricia Gucci and Grandma Bruna Palombo.

Zarin's indictment alleges that Ruffalo abused him from the age of six to the age of 22. In the trial, which was first reported by the New York Times, Ruffalo regularly entered the naked bed, caressed Alexander, tried to touch him with his hands, and told him about the genitals.

A READNDRA ZARIN

Zarin also says that his mother, Patricia Gucci, allowed the former man to continue mistreatment, while Grandma, Bruna Palombo, threatened not to show up.

Both women, Patricia Gucci and Bruna Palombo, “tried to avoid, at any cost, what they perceived would be a scandal that could tarnish Gucci's name and potentially cost millions before”.

PAT GUCCE AND RICIA JOSEPH RUFFALO

In the indictment, Alexander also accuses his mother of violence and sometimes attempts to kill him. Her then husband, Ruffalo, pretended to be “Alexander and abused her claim to be her protector. Among other things, 35-year-old says Ruffalo encouraged her to use cocaine and methamphetamines.

If you think this doesn't happen in Beverly Hills, then you should know that my abuser still lives in California, spends time at Club Bel-Air and does volunteer work at your children's hospitals”, Zarin said in a video published by her lawyers. “This is not something that happens only to other families, other neighborhoods, or other countries. It's everywhere. ”

In a statement, Patricia Gucci said she was “deeply sorry for the pain Joseph Ruffalo caused Alexander-s”.

Everything he did was unforgivable and destroyed when Alexander discovered everything in our family doctor's office in London in September 2007. I immediately started divorce procedures against Mr. Ruffleo,” she said.

PAT GUCCE AND RICIA BUN PALOMMO,1987.

However, Patricia, who lives in Switzerland, denied Zarin's claims against her and her grandmother. I'm just as devastated by the charges against me and her grandmother, who are completely false. ”

The trial adds a new chapter of controversy to the famous Gucci family, which gave up its part in business in 1993. Marka Gucci is currently owned by the French conglomerate Kering. Over the years, the Gucci family has been involved in tax evasion, fighting and murder.

PAT GUCCIE RICIETY, ALDO GUCCI.

In 2016, Zarin's mother published a book of memories, “In the Name of Gucci”, which describes how her mother and father, Aldo Gucci, who was married, kept their relationship secret.

In 1986, Aldo Gucci, then 81, was sentenced for tax evasion and served a year in prison. His daughter later married, had two children, including Alexander, divorced, and then began a relationship with Ruffalo.

There is also the file for the famous plot against Maurizio Gucci, grandson of founder Guccio Gucci, and then head of the fashion home. Maurizio was killed by his former wife, Patricia Reggian, in 1995. Reggian was tried and sentenced for organising the former man's assassination, where he received the Black Vejusha nickname during the trial.

Reggian spent 18 years in prison before his release in 2016. The story is currently being dramatized in a movie with protagonist Lady Gaga and directed by Ridley Scott.

Sources: The Guardian, New York Times