The scandal centers on a huge Vatican investment in a former Harrod’s warehouse in London, which was to be converted into luxury apartments
The Vatican has authorized secret surveillance of a London-based Italian stockbroker accused of defrauding the Holy See of hundreds of millions of dollars, according to leaked documents.
THE Pope Francis gave investigators permission to monitor phones, intercept emails and arrest anyone without the approval of British judges, The Times of London reported.
The Vatican’s Office of Justice used these powers to target millionaire, Raffaele Mignone, a fund manager accused of defrauding the Vatican in the midst of a real estate business worth some $350 million!
The scandal centers on a huge Vatican investment in a former Harrod’s warehouse in London, which was to be converted into luxury apartments.
Muccione is one of 10 people, including a cardinal, implicated in the controversy, which first came to light in 2014. He has denied wrongdoing. Last month, prosecutors questioned Muccione about the management of a fund that owned the London property.
In April 2021, the Pope amended Vatican law allowing religious leaders such as cardinals and bishops to be tried before the Vatican’s civil courts, the Telegraph reported.
A few days later, Pope Francis reportedly ordered “the adoption of technological tools, suitable for the interception of fixed and mobile devices, as well as any other communication, including electronic ones,” according to the leaked documents. “These powers can be exercised against individuals, whose communication activities are considered useful for the conduct of investigations.”
View the news feed and get the latest news.
