Pandoro Gate, Chiara Ferragni withdraws appeal. Will pay one million euros fine

Chiara Ferragni has decided to withdraw her appeal against the Antimonopoly Office (Agcm) regarding the sanctions imposed in the Pandoro case. The news, reported by Il Messaggero, was confirmed by sources in the entrepreneur and influencer’s legal team. The waiver will be filed with the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio in the coming days.

In December 2023, the Agcm imposed a fine of more than €1 million on Chiara Ferragni’s companies, Fenice and Tbs Crew, for allegedly misleading advertising related to the sale of Pandoro Pink Christmas. The measure was based on the accusation that the product was presented in a way that misled consumers about its characteristics and quality.

Ferragni’s legal team initially filed an appeal, asking for the measure to be overturned. A hearing was set for July 17, 2024, but the withdrawal of the appeal is a significant step backward.

According to reports, the decision to withdraw the appeal was made after an informal agreement with the antitrust authorities. This agreement aims to avoid further sanctions, in particular those related to another case under investigation: Easter eggs. In April 2024, the Antitrust Office opened a new investigation against Chiara Ferragni and Dolci Preziosi, similar to the Pandoro Balocco case.

The original sanction was for Pandoro Pink Christmas, a product that Agcm said was promoted with misleading information. The withdrawal of the appeal means that Ferragni and her companies accept the sanction without further legal challenges, likely in exchange for reducing or eliminating potential future sanctions.

The informal agreement with the Antimonopoly Office not only resolves the current case but also aims to prevent further disputes related to the promotional practices of Ferragni products, in particular Easter eggs.

Future Consequences

This decision is a strategic move for Chiara Ferragni, who could have avoided further legal and financial problems by withdrawing the appeal and accepting the sanction. The resolution of this legal dispute could allow the entrepreneur to focus on new initiatives without the shadow of further investigations.

Chiara Ferragni continues to be a key figure in Italian business and the digital world, and this case highlights the complexities and legal challenges that can arise from business practices in the consumer goods sector.

Chiara Ferragni’s abandonment of her appeal against AGCM in the Pandoro case marks a significant chapter in her business activities. While accepting sanctions may seem like a step backwards, a settlement with the Antitrust Office may prove to be a winning strategy to avoid further complications. The question remains how this decision will affect her image and future business operations.