Italian Luxury Fashion House Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) tax evasion trial set to start. The designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana will face the Italian court.
The fashion designers have been accused of evading over €400 million Euros or $522 million in taxes over the years. Italian prosecutor are targeting the designers holding company Gado located in, known tax haven Luxembourg, which enabled the designers to avoid paying taxes in Italy.
"They are each accused of evading around €200 million in tax so that's €400 million altogether. We'll be establishing the initial timetable for the trial. Six other people are involved, including their tax consultant," Laura Pedio, a prosecutor in the case, told The Sunday Telegraph.
Dolce & Gabbana Italian Luxury Fashion house was launched in 1989 by partners Domenico and Stefano. The fashion house is known for eclectic bohemian urban wear, which includes eye wear, purses and watches.
Previously, Dolce & Gabbana were accused of fraud and tax evasion in 2009 but was later dismissed. If found guilty by the Italian Supreme Court in this current trail, the designers can face a sentence up to five years in prison.
The tax evasion scandal starts amid the recent launch of the fashion house's latest fragrance "One Desire," featuring Scarlett Johansson. The new fragrance campaign is expected to role out soon featuring perfume created in partnership with Givaudan, which come in a sensual scent of mandarin, lychee and lily of the valley with soft undertone of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood.