ROME - Four clients accused of relations with two under-aged prostitutes in the Parioli area of Rome have agreed to a plea-bargain to avoid trial.

The Roman prosecution process has approved the deals under which the men will receive a one year suspended prison sentence as well as a 1000 euro fine. This sentence is identical to the one already handed down to two other clients, Francesco Ferraro and Gianluca Sammarone.

The plea-bargains avoid the need for the two young girls involved in the case, aged 14 and 15, to provide testimony in court. Others involved in the prostitution ring include organiser Mirko Ieni, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, and the younger girl’s mother, who has been sentenced to six years.

Prosecutor Maria Monteleone announced that around sixty potential clients of the ring are currently under investigation, including Trenitalia director Mauro Floriani.