Some 500,000 euros seized from ex-Montecassino abbot

(ANSA) - Rome, November 11 - Italian finance police on Wednesday took action to seize assets worth 500,000 euros from the former abbot of Montecassino, Pietro Vittorelli, and his brother Massimo, ANSA sources said. The sum corresponds to the amount of money Vittorelli allegedly misappropriated from the accounts of Montecassino Abbey during his time in charge.
    The former abbot, 53, allegedly laundered the misappropriated funds by passing them through various bank accounts managed by his brother, a financial broker.
    Vittorelli became abbot in 2007, but in 2012 suffered a serious heart attack, and in 2013 resigned as abbot citing health reasons.
    He entered the abbey in 1989 after obtaining a medical degree, and in 2003 served as a member of the Frosinone health department's bioethical committee.
    Last September Vittorelli participated in a convention of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia party in Fiuggi.