Alexandra Zarini, the 35-year-old granddaughter of Aldo Gucci, has filed a lawsuit in a US court alleging that her stepfather, Joseph Ruffalo, sexually abused her from the age of six to about 22. The lawsuit, filed in the California superior court in Los Angeles, also accuses her mother, Patricia Gucci, and grandmother, Bruna Palombo, of complicity and a cover-up to protect the Gucci name.
According to the lawsuit, Ruffalo, a music-industry figure who worked with Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire, regularly got into bed naked with Zarini, fondled her, and attempted to penetrate her with his hands. Zarini also claims Ruffalo exposed himself and rubbed his genitals against her. She alleges that her mother not only allowed the abuse but that Palombo instructed her to keep quiet to avoid scandal.
Zarini further accuses her mother of physical abuse, including hitting and attempting to strangle her. She claims Ruffalo would then “rescue” her under the guise of being a protector, only to abuse her. Zarini said she knew abuse was coming when she heard ice clinking in his scotch glass. She also alleges Ruffalo encouraged her cocaine and crystal meth use.
In a video released by her lawyers, Zarini said: “If you think this doesn’t happen here in Beverly Hills, then you should know that my perpetrator still lives in California, spends time at the Bel-Air country club and volunteers in your children’s hospitals.” The lawsuit was filed alongside the launch of her anti-child abuse non-profit, the Alexandra Gucci Children’s Foundation.
Patricia Gucci expressed sorrow for the pain caused by Ruffalo but denied the allegations against her and Palombo, calling them “completely false”. Ruffalo’s lawyer, Richard Crane, said his client “vehemently and categorically denies” the claims and noted concerns about Zarini’s mental wellbeing during the marriage. The Beverly Hills police have an open file on the alleged abuse.
