DECEMBER 10, 2000

Just the kind of people you want to be associated with...

THERE was some embarrassment this week for Flavio Briatore's girlfriend Naomi Campbell when it emerged that the man who ran the Fashion Cafe, using her name and the names of other famous models to promote the business, has been arrested and is allegedly facing a string of charges including Money laundering, conspiracy and the transportation of stolen property.

Tommaso Buti was arrested in Milan but it is the American authorities which are interested in his activities as the Fashion Cafe in New York, which went out of business a couple of years ago. The sister restaurant in London is now being run by receivers.

It is just the sort of association that Flavio needs now he is the front man for the Renault Sport Formula 1 team.