Chiara Ferragni Acquitted in Pandorogate Fraud Case

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:26:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has been cleared of fraud charges related to a charity cake scandal, concluding a tumultuous two-year ordeal.

Chiara Ferragni, a prominent Italian influencer, has been acquitted of aggravated fraud charges connected to the sale of a designer Christmas cake marketed as a charity initiative. Following a fast-track trial, the Milan court found Ferragni and two others not guilty, citing the absence of aggravating circumstances and acknowledging her agreement to donate to victims of gender violence. The case, known as 'pandorogate', has sparked scrutiny over influencer marketing in Italy, leading to greater regulatory measures. Despite her acquittal, the incident has had significant repercussions on Ferragni's brand and personal life.

An Italian fashion influencer has been acquitted of aggravated fraud, bringing a long-running scandal involving a charity Christmas cake to an end.

Chiara Ferragni had been accused of misleading consumers by promoting the sale of a designer pink pandoro as well as Easter eggs that were said to be helping to raise money for a children's hospital and a charity.

After a fast-track trial in Milan, a judge found her and two other defendants not guilty. Had she been convicted, she could have faced a jail term.

Ferragni, 38, told reporters the judgment marked the end of a nightmare that lasted two years.

The scandal - dubbed pandorogate - started with the sale of pink special edition Christmas cakes in 2022.

Consumers were led to believe that sales of the pandoro would go towards raising funds for a children's hospital in Turin. However, it turned out that the cake's producer, Balocco, had made a one-off €50,000 (£43,300) donation to the hospital prior to the product's launch.

Ferragni has 28 million followers on Instagram and, following her businesses generating €1 million from the promotion, she committed to donating the same amount to the hospital.

The backlash prompted authorities to begin a formal investigation, resulting in a €1 million fine from Italy's competition authority in 2023 over the pandoro cakes that bore her name and mentioned the children's hospital.

Ferragni-branded Easter eggs also became entangled in the scandal, leading her to voluntarily pay €1.2 million to a children's charity to settle allegations of consumer deception.

She was subsequently indicted for aggravated fraud alongside business associate Fabio Damato.

Prosecutors sought a sentence of one year and eight months in prison for Ferragni; however, the judge dismissed their claim that the fraud was aggravated.

The Milan court determined that no aggravation had occurred, as a consumer group had withdrawn its original complaint. Ferragni had previously agreed to compensate consumers and donate to a charity for women who suffered from gender violence.

We are all moved, Ferragni commented after the trial. The last two years have been very hard. I had faith in justice, and justice has been done.

Despite her acquittal, the scandal has severely impacted Ferragni's brand and personal life, including the collapse of her marriage to Italian rapper Fedez last year.

This situation has led to stricter regulations for Italian influencers to ensure greater transparency in fundraising initiatives.