Gucci heiress claims she was sexually abused by stepfather

ALEXANDRA ZARINI, the 35-year-old granddaughter of fashion giant Aldo Gucci, has accused her former stepfather of sexual abuse in a filing to a Los Angeles court.

Ms Zarini alleges that Joseph Ruffalo began abusing her when she was six, and it continued until she was 22. Mr Ruffalo, a music manager, has worked with Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Ms Zarini also alleges a cover-up and complicity on the part of her mother, Patricia Gucci, and grandmother, Bruna Palombo.

According to court filings, Mr Ruffalo would regularly climb into bed naked with the young girl and fondle her genitals and breasts. He would also flash his penis at her and rub his genitals against her body.

The lawsuit alleges Patricia Gucci was aware of the abuse and would even groom the young girl for Mr Ruffalo’s advances by allowing him to film her naked. Ms Zarini says Ms Gucci hit and strangled her on multiple occasions.

When Ms Zarini was 16, she said her grandmother asked her if she was being abused by Mr Ruffalo. When she confirmed this, Ms Palombo allegedly told her to keep it “secret”.

In a statement to The New York Times, Ms Gucci said she had been “devastated” on hearing Ms Zarini’s allegations in Sept 2007. “I immediately initiated divorce proceedings against Mr Ruffalo and set about healing my family through counselling. I am equally devastated by the allegations against me and her grandmother,

‘I immediately initiated divorce proceedings against Mr Ruffalo and set about healing my family’

which are completely false,” she added.

Mr Ruffalo’s lawyer, Richard P Crane Jr, responded: “My client has not been served … therefore, he is not aware of all of the allegations. What he has been informed of, he vehemently and categorically denies. While married to Alexandra’s mother, Mr Ruffalo and his wife were greatly concerned about the mental well-being of Alexandra and took steps to address her instability. Apparently, their efforts failed.”