Italian magistrates are urgently investigating whether an ally of late prime minister Silvio Berlusconi lied to secure a presidential pardon for a conviction over the “bunga bunga” sex party scandal. Nicole Minetti has denied falsifying her application, but president Sergio Mattarella has taken the highly unusual step of publicly urging the ministry to review the case after a newspaper questioned key parts of her appeal. In 2019, Ms Minetti, a former dental hygienist and showgirl, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in jail for procuring sex workers for Berlusconi’s sex parties, a scandal that would define his final term in office. Two years later, she was given an additional 13-month sentence for misuse of public funds. Berlusconi's 'bunga bunga' parties prompted public anger (AFP/Getty) As the cumulative term was under four years, she avoided prison, but was due to carry out community service.…