A criminal investigation into suspected embezzlement and money laundering has shown that two high-ranking clerics of the Catholic Church in Greece have been “investing” in nightclubs for the last eight years.
The investigation was triggered after a routine audit showed a shortfall of 3 million euros in the coffers of the Catholic Church. this amount of money has been allegedly channeled as investments into nightclubs in Peloponnese.
The investigation was triggered after a routine audit discovered a shortfall of nearly 3 million euros in the Catholic Church’s coffers, which were allegedly funneled as investments into nightclubs.
The President of the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority (HAMLA) has frozen the bank accounts and assets of five nightclub owners in Peloponnese as they were found to be recipients of large sums of money from two high-ranking clerics in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church of Greece.
At the same time, the Authority’s findings were forwarded to the prosecuting authorities of the headquarters of the Catholic Church of Greece, in order to check the two priests for possible embezzlement and the business people owning the nightclubs for money laundering.
One of the nightclub owners was found to have previous involvement in criminal offenses in the past.
The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican has also been informed of the action taken.
HAMLA has reportedly found that large sums of money amounting to approximately 3 million euros, had “left” the treasury of the Catholic Church and were invested in nightclubs. This practice started eight years ago.
Initially, the Authority was informed by the banks about “suspicious” movements of large sums of money and started a thorough audit in order to map the route of the money and identify the actual number of persons involved in the case
According to the investigation, there were indications of serious offenses, such as embezzlement and money laundering.
The Authority found that 3 million euros had been embezzled from the Catholic Church’s treasury and then the identities of both the two priests and the nightclub owners were revealed.
The last suspicious transfer of money was detected a few days ago and involved the amount of 50,000 euros, media reported.
All suspects are expected to be summoned for questioning in the upcoming weeks with authorities to decide if they will file charges after the testimonies.
In a statement issued early Thursday afternoon, the Catholic church in Greece said it had information on the embezzlement.
“Following today’s reports on embezzlement and money laundering in the press, we declare that there has been no official information on the matter,” the Catholic Church said according to newsit.gr .
