Former Milanese underworld kingpin
Renato Vallanzasca on Wednesday appealed a conviction for
stealing two pairs of boxer shorts and other small items
totalling 66 euros in a supermarket last June.
The 10-month sentence inflicted in November could mean he
loses all chance of parole on four concurrent life sentences for
racketeering and murder, his lawyer said as he filed the plea.
At the time of the petty theft, Vallanzasca was on a work
release program that allowed him to leave prison for work each
day and return in the evening.
The privilege was revoked following his arrest for
the supermarket theft.
The 64-year-old Vallanzasca is one of Italy's most
notorious gangsters, making headlines in the 1970s for his
multiple jail breaks, prison riots, and life as a fugitive.
Vallanzasca has said he believes he was framed
for the underwear theft because of statements he gave to
prosecutors in an investigation taking place in the town of
Forli'.
The Forli' prosecutor refuted this charge, citing that the
investigation Vallanzasca is referring to "began two months
after this (theft)".
The former gangster had also previously claimed that he had
been "stitched up" by authorities, because at the time of the
theft he was coming up for consideration for release for good
behaviour.
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