Domnica Cemortan Admits To Affair With Costa Concordia Captain Francesco Schettino

Domnica Cemortan, a Moldavian dancer, has admitted to carrying on a romantic affair with Costa Concordia ship Captain Francesco Schettino.

Cemortan, 26, previously denied any relationship with the married Schettino, who is currently on trial for manslaughter after crashing the Costa Concordia and allegedly abandoning it off the coast of Italy, leaving thousands on board. After sustained questioning and threats of being held in contempt of court, Cemortan admitted that she'd had an affair with the 53-year-old captain. "Yes, I had a liaison with Francesco Schettino," she said. "I already knew Schettino."

Cemortan testified that she had boarded the ship as a non-paying passenger and did not appear on the official list of passengers due to her relationship with Schettino. Cemortan was on the ship's bridge when it crashed. "I didn't see anything because it was dark," Cemortan said. "At a certain moment there was silence, and then Schettino started to give orders and I heard one of the orders being misunderstood. He then repeated the order. I didn't feel the crash, but I saw the alarm lights go on."

The Costa Concordia sank off the coast of Giglio Island, Italy, on Jan. 13, 2012 when Schettino was accused of steering the ship too fast and too close to the shore, causing him to smash into the reef. There were 32 casualties, and two bodies were never located. The ship was pulled out of the water in September 2013. Schettino, nicknamed "Captain Coward," is facing charges of manslaughter and dereliction of duty and may serve up to 20 years in prison if convicted.