Usually at the opera theaters we see whores on stage as epoch-old leading ladies like Violetta Valéry -- and more recently Anna Nicole Smith (although we're fiercely endeared to the Playboy hooker with the heart of gold). Leave it to creepy old rich Richard Lugner to turn art into life. The Viennese socialite has invited, literally, a whore to be his ~date~ to the annual Wiener Opernball.
In an embarrassingly dated escort-disguised-as-ambassador trick played every year, Lugner invites a trashy celebrity to attend (he actually pays them) one of Vienna's most prestigious social events of the year at the Vienna Staatsoper. Previous escorts have included Pamela Anderson, Dita Von Teese, and Paris Hilton (yeah, there's a pattern here).
This year, Lugner's invited Karima El-Mahroug -- aka Ruby -- an 18-year-old nightclub "dancer" who is one of the main characters of Italy's latest scandals. The Moroccan immigrant kicked-off the official bunga-bunga investigations surrounding Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his harem of whores who showed-up like clockwork from February to May 2010 to his famous orgies at his private villa.
Berlusconi will stand trail in April for charges of paying a then-underage Ruby for sex (she was a minor, only 17) and for abusing his power (he sprung her from police custody on shoplifting-related charges). And let's not forget about gifts totaling in more than $300,000.00 USD (two rolexes, a necklace, and a Valentino gown).
Lunger shafted Bo Derek for Ruby after he refused to pay Derek's fee. But at what cost comes Ruby? It's reported that Lugner's paying her €35,000 ($50,000.00 USD), a private jet for transportation, and luxury hotel accommodations.
As if Lunger's yearly tradition wasn't joke enough at this point, organizers of the Opernball are soooo not thrilled.
