Author alleges Versace has mafia ties, Versace family sues Frank Monte

November 2001

In 1997 Italian clothing designer, Gianni Versace, was shot dead on the steps of his South Beach mansion in Miami.

The gunman was Andrew Cunanan, who killed himself nine days after he murdered Gianni Versace.

Private investigator Frank Monte has written a new book about the death of the famous designer, which may never be sold. Monte is being sued after alleging in his book that Versace had made shady deals with the Mafia and that the designer's own brother, Santo and sister were involved in the designer's murder.The Versace family are hoping to suppress the book "The Spying Game" in which Monte has made the allegations.

Donatella Versace vigorously denies the claims that she was linked to her brother's murder, in a Sydney courtroom in the ongoing case the Italian fashion house has brought against former policeman Frank Monte. Gianni's brother Santo Versace was in Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. He is expected to give evidence against Monte in the case.

Monte alleges in his book that he was hired to protect Gianni Versace and worked for the fashion giant from 1996 to 1997. He claims that Versace himself confided in him about the Versace family's involvement with the Mafia. The book was withdrawn just a few days before it was set for release in June after the Versace family threatened to take legal action.

Gianni Versace was famous through-out the world. He was often referred to as the rock-and-roll designer whose male clients included George Michael, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Michael Jackson. Versace also made clothes for Princess Diana, Caroline of Monaco and other world famous women. He was shot twice in the head by Cunanan on July 15, 1997.

www.gianniversace.com