Criminal complaint filed after LeBron James hits golf balls into sea off Capri

The Campania branch of consumer

association Codacons said Friday that it has filed a complaint

with criminal prosecutors after American basketball great LeBron

James posted a video on Instagram of himself hitting golf balls

into the sea from a yacht, apparently while on holiday in Capri.

"We have decided to refer the case to the Naples Public

Prosecutor's Office to determine whether the balls used were

biodegradable or whether they could pose a potential

environmental threat," said the head of the branch, the lawyer

Matteo Marchetti.

He said that, under Italian criminal law, anyone who unlawfully

causes significant, measurable damage to an ecosystem,

biodiversity, flora, or fauna, can face two to six years in

prison and a fine of between 10,000 and 100,000 euros.

He said the penalty can be increased by up to 50% if the damage

is done in a protected area.

"With our complaint we want to find out whether balls that do

not represent a form of pollution for the clear waters of Capri

were used," Marchetti said.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA