Skip to Content

Trial testimony: Vatican wanted to pay off London broker

KVIA

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The former head of the Vatican’s financial watchdog has testified that the agency launched an intelligence investigation into a suspicious London real estate deal after it learned about it. But he said the agency had no power to stop the Vatican secretariat of state from concluding it.  The testimony Tuesday by defendant Rene Bruelhart in the Vatican’s fraud and extortion trial again put the spotlight on Pope Francis and the No. 2 in the secretariat of state, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra. Bruelhart said Pena Parra made it clear the deal had to be concluded “under any circumstances.”  The Vatican’s payment of 15 million euros to an Italian broker to get full ownership of the London building is at the heart of the trial.

Article Topic Follows: AP National Business

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content