Prison threat for Dolce & Gabbana

The prosecutor in the ongoing Dolce and Gabbana tax evasion trial has called for the designers,

to be sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

According to WWD, prosecutor Gaetano Ruta said during his closing speech in a Milan courthouse that the designers along with company board member Cristiana Ruella should receive two-and-a-half years, while the designers' accountant, Luciano Patelli should be sentenced to three years.

Ruta also called for prison time for Alfonso Dolce, Domenico's brother, and the fashion label’s finance director Giuseppe Minoni, while the company manager Antoine Noella, he said, should be absolved.

The lawsuit refers back to the label's 2004 sale of the Dolce & Gabbana and D&G brands to Luxembourg-based holding company Gado Srl, which Italian authorities believe was set up to allow the designers to avoid paying Italy’s high taxes. The designers strongly deny the charges.

The case continues.