Italy's Berlusconi found guilty of paying a minor for sex ROME - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was found guilty Monday of paying a minor for sex and of abuse of power in office. After 50 hearings over two years, the media mogul and three-time prime minster was found guilty of paying Karima el Mahroug, a Moroccan-born dancer, for sex at his mansion outside Milan in 2010 when she was 17. Berlusconi was also found guilty of using his post as prime minister to pressure police into releasing Mahroug into the care of one of his associates when the teenager was arrested on suspicion of theft that year, rather than allowing her to be placed under the supervision of local authorities. During a series of phone calls to Milan police, Berlusconi allegedly suggested that Mahroug was a niece of then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Under Italy's three-tier legal system, he will be able to file two appeals against the sentence and will not serve any jail time until a final verdict is handed down by the Italian Supreme Court, which could take years. "An incredible sentence has been issued of a violence never seen or heard of before, to try to eliminate me from the political life of this country," Berlusconi said in a statement. Yet again I intend to resist against this persecution because I am absolutely innocent and I don't want in any way to abandon my battle to make Italy a country that is truly free and just. Mahroug, also known as "Ruby the Heart-Stealer," was an aspiring dancer in Milan when she was first invited to Berlusconi's so-called bunga-bunga parties, where some witnesses reported that female guests dressed as nuns and police officers, staged stripteases and were fondled by Berlusconi. Those guests allegedly received about $2,600 to $4,000 for attending the parties, or about $6,500 to $7,900 if they stayed the night. Aides and associates of Berlusconi told the court that his parties were well-mannered get-togethers where guests kept their clothes on. In the ruling, the three presiding judges suggested they be investigated for possible false testimony. Berlusconi had said he would continue to back Italy's fragile coalition government, which contains members of his party, even if he was convicted. However, his growing legal woes may prompt him to pull his supporters out of the government, forcing new elections. If his party wins, Berlusconi could be better placed to introduce legislation that would give him immunity from prosecution. Later this year, a final ruling from the Supreme Court is expected on a four-year sentence Berlusconi previously received for tax evasion. The verdict Monday was the latest episode in the long-running scandal over Berlusconi's association with young women, which began with his wife's decision to leave him in 2009 over his friendship with Noemi Letizia, an 18-year-old aspiring model. Kington is a special correspondent.