VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican’s auditor general said he was surprised by the lack of ethical standards exhibited by officials considering investment opportunities, including the failed London property development deal.
In the Vatican trial of ten defendants indicted on various charges related to financial fraud, Alessandro Cassinis Rigini, Auditor of the Holy See and Vatican City State, accused the public of mismanagement of funds and misconduct with the people. criticized the Vatican’s ties “with a clear conflict of interest.” As a result, we suffered losses of several million euros.
“That was not the way to manage the money from Peters Pence,” Cassinis told court on Sept. 30, to support charity and the operations of the Holy See and Vatican embassies around the world. He mentioned papal funds used for
When asked by Vatican prosecutors whether he believed funds from the annual collection were used for a London real estate transaction, Cassinis replied, “Yes.”
After a long summer break, the trial, which resumed on September 28, will focus on how the Secretary of State bought a property in London’s gorgeous Chelsea district and why the deal resulted in such a huge loss. It originated from the investigation of
Between 2014 and 2018, the Vatican State Department is believed to have invested €200 million (then over $240 million) to purchase properties in London. In addition, payments to brokers and debts collected on real estate increased the total investment he made to €350 million.
Cassinis said his office notified Vatican officials in 2019 about the discrepancy in a London property deal.
Cassinis, who testified as one of 27 witnesses for the prosecution, conducted financial investigations from Pope Francis in the summer of 2018 and submitted a report on his findings to Edgar Peña, the newly appointed Vatican agent. He said he was asked to submit to Archbishop Para. General affairs secretary.
The Pope has often requested such reviews, he said. However, when he began reviewing, Cassinis “soon” discovered “some very strange things” in London real estate deals.
Cassinis also recalled discussions by Vatican officials in 2012 who considered investing millions in an offshore oil platform in Angola.
The investment proposal was ultimately rejected, but the Comptroller General said it was considered because it “contravened the environmental standards contained in Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si.” “I was stunned,” he said.
In court on Sept. 28, former Secretary of State Fabrizio Tirabassi was questioned by prosecutors for more than three hours.
Tillabassi, who has been accused of corruption, extortion, embezzlement, fraud and abuse of power, has come under intense pressure from Vatican prosecutor Alessandro Didi about his and his wife’s personal finances.
Explaining that the Vatican official’s income was “stable,” Didi presented the court with a 2015 Swiss bank statement with an estimated €1.3 million in accounts in Tirabassi’s name.
Tirabassi said the money came from Vatican funds and was given a power of attorney by Msgr in 2004. Former Secretary of State Gianfranco Piovano.
However, Tirabassi said the power of attorney was withdrawn by Msgr in 2009. Piovano’s successor, Msgr. Alberto Perlasca.
Ms. Perlaska was initially considered a possible suspect after Vatican police seized documents, computers and even floppy disks from her home and office in 2020.
The court is expected to hear more witness testimony in the coming weeks, and Vatican Police Commissioner Stefano de Santis is scheduled to appear in court on October 12.
– – –
Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju
Read more Vatican News
Copyright © 2022 Catholic News Service/Conference of Catholic Bishops of America
Print
