Stefano Černetić
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Stefano Černetić | |
|---|---|
| File:Stefano Černetić.jpg | |
| Born | April 29, 1960 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Spouse |
Karola (m. 2017) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | www |
Stefano Černetić (born April 29, 1960) is an Italian man known for falsely claiming to be prince of Montenegro and Macedonia. He associated himself with celebrities and royals, also giving false titles of nobility and self-styled orders to high profile individuals.
In 2016, Italian authorities launched an investigation into Černetić's activities following complaints about him from the Montenegrin Embassy. Černetić was charged with fraud in the court of Turin but was acquitted on the basis that he had never claimed to represent the Montenegrin or Macedonian governments, and had merely misled individuals.
Biography
Early life
Stefano Černetić was born on April 29, 1960 in Trieste, Italy. He claims to speak Italian, Serbo-Croatian, English, French, Spanish and Russian.[1] He originally worked as a food journalist.[2]
Claims of royal heritage and activities
Černetić came to prominence after claiming to be Montenegrin royalty. Černetić claims to be related to the Crnojević noble family which historically ruled Zeta.[1] He styled himself "His Imperial and Royal Highness Stefan Černetić, Hereditary Prince of Montenegro, Serbia and Albania".[3] As of 2017, he used the Latin motto "In hoc signo vinces".[4]
He used his assumed title to associate with high-ranking clergy, businesspeople and royals,[5][6] including Albert II, Prince of Monaco. He posted photos taken with these people on social media and his personal website, which helped to build his reputation.[3] Černetić's reputation allowed him to attend events like Formula One races with wealthy patrons.[7] He was also paid to attend public events in an official capacity.[8] He also hosted humanitarian events to promote Balkan culture.[1]
In 2012, he visited the Montalbera Winery in Piedmont and requested that they become an official supplier for his house. The winery produced 1,200 bottles labelled with his coat of arms, but did not hear back from him afterwards.[9]
In 2013, Černetić was accused of extorting the owner of a restaurant in Bagno Vignoni, who provided newspapers with a cellphone video in which Černetić claimed to be an official representative of Tripadvisor and offered to endorse the restaurant on the website in exchange for a fee.[10] In response, Tripadvisor Italy released a statement that they do not send representatives to request payment from restaurants.[11]
While in Italy, Černetić drove a black Mercedes with diplomatic insignia and Montenegrin flags.[8] He bestowed false titles of nobility and self-styled orders on a number of people, including Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and American actress Pamela Anderson.[12] He first presented Anderson with an award for her marine conservation work in 2014,[13] and later gave her the title "Countess of Giglio" during a ball at Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure in 2015.[14]
In July 2022, then-president of Montenegro Milo Đukanović launched an investigation after Černetić attended his Statehood Day party despite not having been invited. Černetić was photographed at the party with Đukanović and Nicholas, Prince of Montenegro, and was entertained the following day by Serbian bishop Joanikije Mićović who also baptised Černetić's son.[15]
Fraud investigation and acquittal
Černetić and another man, who identified himself as Černetić's ambassador, were charged with fraud by local authorities in Brindisi, Italy in 2016.[16] The investigation was instigated by Montenegrin authorities who contacted the Italian ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs in 2016.[17] He was accused of falsely obtaining diplomatic license plates. The Montenegrin Embassy also claimed that a luxury hotel in Fasano had sent them a bill incurred by Černetić,[17] who was not affiliated with the Montenegrin government.[4]
In June 2017, his home in Turin was raided by the Carabinieri as part of an investigation into alleged fraudulent activities dating back to 2009.[4] They found fake diplomatic documents, stamps and certificates of awards.[3] During the investigation, Italian authorities found that Černetić's parents were Italian and that he was from Trieste.[8] The Italian authorities charged Černetić with falsifying his identity as well as making and possessing false identity documents.[18] During the investigation, Černetić's attorney stated that the certificates and titles issued by Černetić were only intended to represent honors from his family and not the Republic of Montenegro.[19]
In an interview with The Daily Beast published in July 2017, Černetić accused the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty, which ruled Montenegro until 1916, of orchestrating the proceedings against him. He claimed that the dynasty, which he said was 'filled with Freemasons", had bribed journalists to slander him.[4]
In 2023, he was acquitted of fraud charges by the court of Turin, which determined that the actions under investigation were misleading but not legally fraudulent. An investigation into the genealogical and heraldic claims of Černetić found that he was related to a noble house that ruled in Montenegro and Macedonia during the 17th century. Černetić used that family's coat of arms, which incidentally bore similarities to the coat of arms of Montenegro. He had never actually claimed to represent the government of Montenegro, and the certificates he issued were not considered legal documents. Instead, the court concluded that the certificates awarded by Černetić were merely souvenirs.[17]
Personal life
On December 28, 2017, Černetić married Karola, a German university professor. They have a son.[20]
References
- ^ a b c ""I promote Montenegro for nothing, Prince Nikola is paid by the Government"". Vijesti.
- ^ "Deze man doet zich al jarenlang voor als prins van Montenegro en Macedonië". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ a b c Rome, Tom Kington (2024-01-11). "Prince Stefan of Montenegro exposed as Italian fraudster". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ a b c d Nadeau, Barbie Latza (2017-07-09). "The Trump-Loving 'Prince' Raided by Police for Possible Fraud". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ Squires, Nick (2017-06-15). "'Prince of Montenegro' who conferred 'honour' on Pamela Anderson exposed as alleged conman by Italian investigation". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "Pamela Anderson among celebs fooled by fake Prince of Montenegro". Irish Examiner. 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Deze man doet zich al jarenlang voor als prins van Montenegro en Macedonië". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ a b c Kington, Tom. "Prince Stefan of Montenegro alleged as fraud who fooled politicians, priests ... and Pammy". The Australian.
- ^ "Lewis Black and Loring Go Noir; Fake Prince Cons Winery". Wine Spectator.
- ^ "TripAdvisor, "recensioni a pagamento". Il caso dell'osteria di Siena". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "Stefan of Montenegro reported for fraud". Vijesti.
- ^ Tol, Tol (2017). "Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-Montenegrin 'Royal' Charged with Impersonation". Transitions Online (6/20): 27–28. ISSN 1214-1615.
- ^ "El falso príncipe de Montenegro". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ Nast, Condé (2015-06-22). "Here's What Pamela Anderson Wore to Become a Countess". Glamour. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ Kajosevic, Samir. "Montenegrin President Seeks Probe After Fake Prince Attends State Event". Balkan Insight.
- ^ Persio, Sofia Lotto (2017-06-15). "Fake Prince who Met Pamela Anderson Wanted by Police". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ a b c "Assolto il "principe del Montenegro" Stefan Cernetic. Lasciapassare diplomatici e timbri falsi? Il giudice: "La sua era semplice vanteria"". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 2023-09-06. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ "Si finge principe del Montenegro e truffa vip e autorità per soggiornare gratis: scoperto a Brindisi". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Finto principe del Montenegro denunciato per truffa, l'avvocata: "È nobile per dinastia"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Prince of Montenegro Stefan Cernetic got married". CDM.me.