Italy gripped as Fiat family son linked to cocaine after falling ill

[emad]

Italy gripped as Fiat family son linked to cocaine after falling ill

· Member of Agnelli dynasty enters hospital
· Firm says problems of 'pharmacological origin'

Barbara McMahon in Rome
Tuesday October 11, 2005
The Guardian


A member of one of Italy's most famous families, the Agnellis - whose fortune is based on a huge sprawl of investments, including Fiat and Juventus football club - was taken to hospital yesterday amid reports that he became ill after taking cocaine.

According to the Italian news agency Ansa, Lapo Elkann, a vice-president of Fiat, fell ill in Turin, where Fiat has its headquarters. He was taken by ambulance to Mauriziano hospital.


At first Mr Elkann, 28, was reported to be in a "serious condition" but hospital officials later said that his life was not in danger. A statement from Fiat said: "Lapo Elkann was hospitalised for respiratory problems of pharmacological origin. His condition is not worrisome, and medically he is absolutely stable."

Mr Elkann's father, the Italian writer Alain Elkann, told reporters: "The news about my son's condition has been exaggerated. In any case, Lapo is better."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,12576,1589269,00.html

[kenny blankenship]

1. "There was no cocaine involved because Lapo doesn't take illegal drugs..."

"and in any case, he just quit."

[SteppingRazor]

2. Hard to believe Italy's so shocked...

Young and rich and snorting blow? Say it ain't so! :eyes:

And besides the obvious, there's also the fact that the river water in northern Italy actually has traces of cocaine in it -- there's freaking cocaine in the water. In a country that enjoys the Peruvian Marching Powder that much, why is this a surprise?