What Do George Clooney and a Bunch of Alleged Prostitutes Have in Common?

Actor is among several potential witnesses in the upcoming trial of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Here's one sure way to get the trial surrounding the alleged sexual exploits of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi a little exposure on an entertainment website.

Just throw George Clooney's name on a list of potential witnesses!

Well, that's exactly what Berlusconi's defense team did today.

Yep. The Oscar-winning actor and girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis—as well as a few dozen alleged prostitutes—are reportedly among 78 witnesses who might be called to take the stand in Milan when the prime minister's trial over allegations he paid for sex with an underage girl in 2010 begins next month.

But why Clooney? (Even Clooney's asking, "Why Clooney?" saying via his rep today, "It seems odd since I've only met Berlusconi once and that was in an attempt to get aid into Darfur.")

It seems the then-17-year-old Moroccan girl at the center of the controversy has claimed to have seen Clooney and Canalis last year at a dinner party at Berlusconi's pad, which just happens to be near the star's home on Lake Como.

Apparently, Berlusconi's lawyers are simply interested in finding out from Clooney if this is true or not, despite several reports that Canalis had already spoken to prosecutors and insisted that they never attended any parties thrown by Berlusconi.

George Clooney Watch The trial starts April 6.