Whenever you think you’ve heard the craziest embezzlement story in the history of guy, along comes a different one to prove you dead incorrect. Such is the situation of a Vatican monsignor trial that is already awaiting charges of plotting to smuggle 20 million euros ($30.8 million) into Italy out of Switzerland, head you who has now been charged individually for allegedly utilizing his access to Vatican bank accounts to launder money.

Millions of Euros Moved Around

Referred to as ‘Monsignor 500’ because that is apparently his cash that is favorite denomination Monsignor Nunzio Scarano was arrested by financial authorities in Salerno into the south of Italy, after police say he used fictitious donations from offshore organizations to go millions of euros through his Vatican Institute for Religious Functions accounts.

When police caught up with Salerno week that is last these people were in a position to confiscate 6.5 million euros worth of bank accounts and real estate holdings, including a luxury condo occupied by Salerno himself that was decked out with costly artwork and antiques.

A local priest was placed under house arrest while a notary public received a suspension for their alleged roles in the money-laundering scheme along with Salerno. But apparently the tentacles were far-reaching on this episode; authorities say that 52 people all told are under scrutiny for possible participation as well.

In what may be one of many comedy lines that are best for the year, Scarano’s attorney Silverio Sica told the court that although their client took in donations from folks he thought had been legit to pave the way for a property for the terminally ill, he really utilized the funds to pay off their own mortgage.

Well certain, that may happen to anyone.

‘We continue to strongly maintain the good faith of Don Nunzio Scarano and his absolute certainty that the cash originated in genuine donations,’ Sica said.

Arrest Numero Due

This investigation that is latest follows one already mid-process that began last June in Rome, whenever Scarano had been arrested for alleged smuggling activities. The Monsignor has certainly been one fella that is busy you need to give him that much.

In this instance, prosecutors allege that Scarano plus a financier and carabinieri (national military police)officer came up by having an elaborate plot that could involve moving €20 million, via personal jet transport, from Switzerland into Italy, with all the goal of avoiding having to pay any customs duties. It all blew up when the unnamed financier pulled out from the plot at the eleventh hour; it’s unclear then went to authorities or not if he.

Scarano’s attorney Sica claims his customer was simply the middleman for the reason that one. Because apparently, that’s not unlawful.

Police now think that cash for both cases could have originated with the D’Amico family, a prominent shipping dynasty that is italian. They do say that significantly more than €5 million were given to Scarano by offshore companies that may be traced straight back to the D’Amicos.

Authorities say that right back in 2009, Scarano withdrew €555,248 from his Vatican account, moving it into Italy proper. In order to avoid suspicion, police report, Scarano elicited aid from 50 acquaintances, convincing them to simply take €10,000 each; he then got in checks or wire transfers within the amounts that are same.

Employing a business of which Scarano had ownership that is partial the Monsignor then used the gathered monies to spend off said mortgage on one of his properties.

No body from the D’Amico family has yet been arrested or charged, while the grouped household has denied any involvement via a PR company. They exude from Salerno as well.

Scarano was fired following the initial arrests; evidently embezzlement fees don’t look great on your resume whenever you’re an accountant in another of the planet’s wealthiest organizations. It is all love and peace and soon you start messing with the money, and Vatican prosecutors seized €2.3 million that remained in Scarano’s accounts following their arrest.

Now the Vatican’s top prosecutor says the Holy See is cooperating with Italian authorities, and asking for help in return, so that you can get to the bottom of this money-laundering situation to end all money-laundering cases. Based on the Vatican’s very own investigations that are internal Scarano’s busy banking activities showed as much as €7 million moving inside and out of his Vatican accounts throughout the last ten years.

Along with Salerno’s firing in June came the resignations of two top banking managers within the Vatican, and the ironically delightful demand the world’s most powerful religious company to adjust international anti-money-laundering standards.

It now seems no one lower than Pope Francis himself has called for major Vatican banking reforms, and has also created a commission to expedite that effort.

Scarano is on house arrest due to what is referred to as his ailing health. Apparently arrest no. 2 will maybe not alter that mode of punishment. We’re just a little confused if he is still in the apartment that is fancy or if he’s now moved to more modest digs.