Even in Germany, no upstanding leader or leaderesse of state or industry would leave home without burly people packing heat. But like in the cases of stateside politicians, people have a tendency to otherwise occupy their protective detail before hopping in bed with the other (or, gasp, same) gender.

As was the case when she met her later husband, Klatten did at first not reveal her true indentity to the gigolo. She just had the scent of money on her. When Sgarbi found out who he had really fornicated, it was too late. The Italian newspaper Il Giornale has transcripts of phonetaps. Boss Baretta to an unnamed 3rd party: “Do you know who she is? The richest woman of Germany! She has enormous power, there are bodyguards when you get close to her. Adresses, phone numbers, photos – I burned everything. I made the biggest mistake in my life!”

A revelation that came too late.

Not every nation has the kind of social problems that would spawn the need for that kind of security. In certain parts of Mexico and Latin America (possibly other parts of the world, too, but I’m more familiar with Latin America) I wouldn’t travel without the accompaniment of RoboCop, and I don’t make much money at all. In western Europe you’re generally a little better off.

Proof ? Although I thought that if you were smart enough to own a major conglomerate, that you’d be smart enough to see around this. I guess it’s a “lucky sperm club” situation here in more ways than one.

She has no security at her level ? Not that you should need it, but common sense would dictate that you would be a target of a lot of things, blackmail and kidnapping among them.

I agree with your skepticism, but not for the stated reason. There are certainly plenty of Italian Jews, including my former neighbor Nobel laureate Salvador Luria.

50merc, absolutely classic line.

WT..er, I mean, wow! Sgarbi must be the ultimate driving machine.

Thanx for the great entertainment.

Trust me: In most of Europe, if a high placed person has a fling or is gay, it’s not a story. Being videoed with a gigolo and blackmailed for €40m is a story, rich or poor. Bigger story when rich. When your family owns half of a car company, story for TTAC.

But I agree with you: People’s prurient interest in these matters is disgusting.

I find it a shame that TTAC which is covering the autmotive industry so well is hopping on this type of story. Sad.

“Pics, or it didn’t happen.”

But we don’t, that was my point.

But don’t worry, it will find its way to the interwebz soon. Take that for granted.

GM’s BoD has been doing this to its shareholders for years and no one seems to care either.

The news are coming in fast and furious now. You think the story was crazy? Get this:

Baretta says, it was an act of revenge. To avenge the plight of Jewish slave laborers who had been shipped by the Nazis to BMW. He just said that. One of his relatives, says Baretta, was one of those. Never mind that Italians are more catholic than the (now German) pope.

We haven’t heard the last of this. German papers are already taunting other loaded ladies with their knowledge of trysts with the scoundrel. Says Die Welt: “At least four rich German ladies succumbed to his charm: Klatten, Marie Lusie H., Elfriede R. and Monika S. “

Their full identity will only last seconds.

@stingray: The Munich prosecutor has the DVD.