Vatican charges against businessman

(ANSA) - Vatican City, May 25 - The Holy See and the Vatican State are investigating activities linked to Rome construction magnate Angelo Proietti and have seized "all financial assets concerned", they noted in a press release on Wednesday.
    The authorities have since the beginning of the investigation requested collaboration and information exchange with Italian authorities, in line with the regulations and Memorandums of Understanding in place and criminal proceedings are currently underway.
    Authorities are assessing possible damages to the entities of the Holy See and the Vatican State, according to a statement released by the Vatican press office on news published in Italian media about the bankruptcy of the Edil Ars, a building and art renovation contractor for several Vatican and Italian government bodies and agencies.
    Proietti has been under house arrest since May 19 on fraudulent bankruptcy charges. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said that the Vatican authorities had been investigating prior to the magnate's arrest in Italy and that the Italian authorities had been informed. He added in a conversation with journalists that collaboration "at all levels" was ongoing with the Italian state.
    Lombardi noted that there had been reports of suspicious transactions by Edil Ars in the Vatican, and that their assets had been seized.