Rome court acquits ex-Vatican accountant of corruption

Ethics

A lawyer for an Italian monsignor who was fired from his Vatican accountant's job says a Rome court has acquitted his client of corruption.

Prosecutors alleged Monsignor Nunzio Scarano was involved in a purported plot to use a private plane to try to smuggle 20 million euros (about $22 million) from Switzerland into Italy to evade taxes. They suspected the money was deposited in Switzerland to avoid Italian taxes.

Defense lawyer Silverio Sica says Scarano was acquitted of the corruption charge on Monday. According to Sica, the court convicted Scarano of slander and gave him a suspended two-year sentence.

Separately, Scarano is on trial in Salerno, Italy, for allegedly using his Vatican bank accounts to launder money. Italian prosecutors said the once highly-secretive Vatican bank amply cooperated in that case.






Related listings

  • Alaska Supreme Court won't block Medicaid expansion

    Alaska Supreme Court won't block Medicaid expansion

    Ethics 09/02/2015

    Thousands of lower-income Alaskans will become eligible for Medicaid after the Alaska Supreme Court on Monday refused to temporarily block the state from expanding the health care program. The win capped a big day for Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, who ear...

  • Court: New health law doesn't infringe on religious freedom

    Court: New health law doesn't infringe on religious freedom

    Ethics 07/13/2015

    The federal health care law doesn't infringe on the religious freedom of faith-based nonprofit organizations that object to covering birth control in employee health plans, a federal appeals court in Denver ruled Tuesday. The case involves a group of...

  • Ousted Egypt leader's lawyers protest court cage

    Ousted Egypt leader's lawyers protest court cage

    Ethics 02/18/2014

    Lawyers for Egypt's ousted president and his co-defendants walked out of court on Sunday to protest the soundproof glass cage in which defendants are held during proceedings, state TV reported. It said judge Shaaban el-Shamy ordered a recess after th...

Business News