(see related)
Former Vatican secretary of
state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on Tuesday denied reports he
embezzled 15 million euros from Vatican accounts, saying the
transaction in question went through "normal" channels.
German daily Bild reported Tuesday that Vatican prosecutors
have opened an investigation into the allegations against
Bertone, citing unofficial Holy See sources.
The newspaper said the money went to a television producer
friend of Bertone, later identified as Lux Vide owner Ettore
Bernabei, a former director-general of Italian public
broadcaster Rai.
It said it was transferred in December 2012 despite
resistance from the Vatican Bank.
Bertone maintained the report was an "invention", adding
that the transaction was conducted in a "normal" manner and that
former pope Benedict XVI "had been informed of the financial
transaction at Lux Vide".
"I repeat there is no problem," said Bertone.
ANSA was told by Lux Vide producers Matilde and Luca
Bernabei that they repaid the convertible bond with Lux Vide
shares to a value they said was estimated by international
accounting firm Deloitte.
Lux Vide, they said, is 52% controlled by the Bernabei
family and ended fiscal 2013 with revenues of approximately 41
million euros.
The cardinal had been appointed Vatican secretary of state
by Benedict in 2006 and served in the position until last year,
when Pope Francis replaced him with Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
During Bertone's time in the role, the Vatican was rocked
by the so-called VatiLeaks scandal which saw confidential Church
documents leaked to the media by the Benedict's butler in 2012.
As well, earlier this year, Pope Francis shook up
administration of the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, replacing
four members of a five-cardinal oversight committee.
Bertone was among those ousted after less than a year into
the start of their five-year mandate started under Benedict.
Much of the damage to the image of the Vatican bank,
officially known as the Institute of Religious Works (IOR),
happened under Bertone's command, when it came under scrutiny
for allegedly not doing enough to prevent money laundering.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
