Accused Vatican cleric lives in luxury apartment
July 04, 2013
The Vatican official who was arrested last week on charges of financial misconduct lives a luxurious apartment lined with expensive artwork, police have disclosed.
Msgr. Nunzio Scarano, who is charged with attempting to bring $26 million in cash into Italy illegally, lives in an apartment in an affluent section of Salerno. Police there report that when they were summoned there in January, they were shocked by the luxury of the residence.
“We asked ourselves how did this monsignor come to won this place and possess these expensive works of art,” an investigator told Reuters. Msgr. Scarano had called police to report the theft of several works of art, valued at millions of dollars. He said that his possessions all came from donations.
Msgr. Scarano, a native of Salerno, had been director of accounting for the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) until he was suspended because of separate money-laundering charges.
In a related development, two men who are being investigated in connection with the plot to bring $26 million into Italy have denied that the money belongs to them. Paolo and Cesare D’Amico, who operate a shipping business in Salerno, denied police charges that the cash was ultimately intended for them. Msgr. Scarano has reportedly said that he planned the transfer of funds to help friends.
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Further information:
- Arrested Vatican prelate lived lush life in hometown (Reuters)
- Friends of disgraced Vatican prelate deny involvement (ANSA)
- Holy See pledges full cooperation with Italian investigation of Vatican official (CWN, 7/1)
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