Vatican criminal investigation launched into alleged fraud

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican on Wednesday confirmed a criminal investigation is under way in the fraud case involving the Italian construction magnate, Angelo Proietti.

He has been suspected of aggravated fraud due to activities involving Edil Ars Srl, a building and art renovation contractor.

The company was involved in work for several Italian government and Vatican departments.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office said the “competent Authorities of the Holy See and the Vatican City State initiated the investigation established by the Vatican legislation in 2013, taking action on the basis of Suspicious Transaction Reports relating to Mr. Proietti, seizing all the relevant financial resources.”

The statement also confirmed that since the start of the investigation the “competent Authorities of the Holy See and the Vatican City State requested the cooperation and exchanged information with the competent Italian Authorities, as  required by the respective legislation and the Memoranda of Understanding in force.”

A criminal investigation is also currently going on in the Vatican City State, and the statement says “the competent Authorities are assessing the existence of potential offences against entities of the Holy See and the Vatican City State.”