Berlusconi Laughs, But Doesn't Deny He's on Recording

ROME July 22, 2009— -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today laughed off recordings that purport to record him talking with an escort who spent the night with him.

"I am not a saint as you all know by now," the 72-year-old told a group of businessmen and politicians at the opening of a highway project. "I hope La Repubblca will understand that too."

He was referring to the Italian newspaper that released allegedly incriminating remarks of Berlusconi this week that it claims were recorded by escort Patrizia D'Addario who has claimed she was paid to attend parties at the prime minister's house.

It was his first public comments since the recordings were released, but Berlusconi did not use the opportunity to deny that it was his voice. He did remark that "there are a lot of nice-looking girls around."

Berlusconi has previously denied ever paying women for sex. If the recordings are verified as authentic, it would be a big blow to Berlusconi who has also said he would resign if he was caught lying about sleeping with prostitutes.

D'Addario gave her tapes to Italian authorities who are investigating whether any crimes have been committed by associates of Berlusconi, including the man who arranged for women to attend private parties.

In the recordings made public this week, a man is heard telling D'Addario to wait for him in bed while he takes a shower.

D'Addario secretly recorded another conversation the morning after one such party, allegedly held on Nov. 4, the night of the U.S. elections and where Berlusconi skipped a public event that evening.

In the recordings made over breakfast, D'Addario complains that he had initially "caused her some pain," and the voice purported to be Berlusconi's asks her over their tea and coffer what is her full name for the first time after their night together.

D'Addario mentions that her voice is gone.

"But, why..?" the man asks. "We weren't shouting."

In a phone call later that day, the man says he has to leave for Moscow.

"I can call you when I am back?" he asks.