Friday, August 09, 2013

Vatican asks Italy for cooperation in Scarano probe

The Vatican Friday asked for cooperation from Italy in an inquiry into Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, accused of corruption and fraud at the Vatican Bank.
 
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told journalists Friday the Vatican court "has forwarded, through the usual diplomatic channels, a formal request ... for collaboration with the Italian judiciary" regarding the Vatican's open investigation into Scarano.

The Vatican said it would show "zero tolerance" if allegations against Scarano turn out to be true, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

"The Vatican is determined to pursue a zero-tolerance policy on possible financial irregularities, whether by clerics or lay persons," Lombardi said, citing a statement from the new head of the Vatican Bank, Ernst von Freyberg, who replaced Paolo Cipriani when he and Deputy Director Massimo Tulli resigned July 2 following Scarano's arrest.

Investigators said he and two others worked together to illegally move more than $26 million from Switzerland to Italy.