Giacomo Canale loses final appeal in lawsuit against Pier Silvio Berlusconi

Italy's Supreme Court, the Corte di Cassazione, has definitively rejected a legal appeal by Giacomo Canale, the former chef for Pier Silvio Berlusconi. Canale had sought over 680,000 euros in compensation for alleged unpaid overtime, missed rest periods, and psychological damages accumulated during his eleven years of service at the Berlusconi family estate in Paraggi and on their yachts.

The court's decision, issued via an ordinance on October 29, upheld a previous ruling from the Court of Appeal of Genoa. The judges dismissed all five grounds for appeal, declaring four inadmissible and one unfounded. Key evidence included Canale's own testimony that he worked only four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday, while another chef covered the remaining days, a schedule deemed compatible with regular rest.

Additionally, the court noted that Canale's remuneration already included a lump-sum allowance for overtime and missed rest. Following this final ruling, Canale has been ordered to pay legal fees. Reports indicate that the recovered legal costs will be donated to charitable associations in Viareggio, the chef's hometown.