There have been tumultuous scenes at the Milan courthouse as George Clooney arrived to testify in a case that centres on the use of his name on a line of clothing. The Hollywood actor, accompanied by his lawyer and two bodyguards, emerged from a lift to find the corridor leading to court 4 packed with fans, photographers, TV crews and some courthouse employees who were bent on capturing the moment on their mobile telephones.
Wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and birds-eye pattern tie, the actor shook hands with some of his fans before disappearing into the hearing. But his only reported comment was a practical – and very necessary – "Please let my lawyer through."
The judge, Pietro Caccialanza, had ordered additional security inside and outside the courthouse, in anticipation of large numbers of admirers. On grounds that the presence of the actor in court was not a matter of "social relevance", the judge banned the filming and photographing of his testimony.
Caccialanza had the trial moved temporarily to a bigger courtroom with more space for the press and public. Soon after taking his place at the bench he threw out a woman caught trying to take photographs of the scene with her mobile phone.
He repeatedly asked for silence from the public, which was predominantly and predictably female. "This trial has the right to tranquil dignity," the news agency Ansa quoted the judge as saying.
Three people are accused of exploiting Clooney's fame to promote a line of clothing, GC Exclusive by George Clooney. The case goes back to April 2008 when the defendants marketed a line of suits bearing his initials.
They are said to have claimed the actor would be present at the launch in Milan. Instead the only newsworthy arrival was that of a detachment of officers from Italy's semi-militarised revenue guard.
Among other things they took away documents the prosecution says bear a forged copy of the Hollywood star's signature. The launch was allegedly staged by Vania Goffi, from Senigallia on the east coast of Italy. She has been on trial in another case involving a website that the prosecution maintains offered Rolex watches for sale and delivered boxes of salt.
The actor is both a witness in the case and a party to it. Under Italian law victims of an offence can join themselves to a criminal trial to obtain compensation.
An interpreter was requested by the judge so that Clooney could testify in English. His agent, Stan Rosenfield, was expected to give evidence to the court.
Clooney, who has a villa near lake Como, is rarely out of the news in Italy because of his relationship with Italian model and actor Elisabetta Canalis. He has lent his name to the advertising of legitimate Italian products, including a brand of coffee and an aperitif.