(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – Marking a striking betrayal of Christian values in the center of the Vatican, a high-ranking Vatican official was found guilty of embezzlement by the Vatican criminal court and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who previously held the influential position of the pope’s chief of staff, faced charges that included embezzlement, abuse of office, conspiracy, and witness tampering, stemming from a controversial 350 million-euro (approximately $382 million) investment in a London property.
Despite the vast array of charges initially brought against him in July 2021, Becciu was convicted only on several counts of embezzlement while being acquitted of the other charges, as detailed by CBS News. The extensive trial, which spanned over two years and included 86 sessions, concluded with the reading of the verdict by the court’s president, Giuseppe Pignatone.
The case against Becciu revolved around his involvement in purchasing a former Harrods warehouse to convert it into luxury apartments. Prosecutors stated that the cardinal, along with other Vatican clergy and brokers, defrauded the Holy See of significant sums and extorted the Vatican government for control of the building, according to CBS News.
In a significant blow to Becciu, the court’s judgment not only includes the prison sentence and a monetary fine but also permanently disqualifies him from holding any public office.
Furthermore, the trial implicated several other individuals in the investment scandal. Notably, former Vatican employee Fabrizio Tirabassi and financial consultant Enrico Crasso faced convictions for their roles. At the same time, Italian businessman Gianluigi Torzi and investment manager Raffaele Mincione were found guilty of extortion and embezzlement, respectively. Security consultant Cecilia Marogna, who worked under Becciu, also received a sentence.
In a sweeping decision, the Vatican court ordered the confiscation of assets worth over $180 million. It also demanded the payment of civil damages exceeding $200 million from the defendants, per the Catholic News Agency. Becciu’s legal representative, Fabio Viglione, has confirmed their intention to appeal the verdict.
