Catholic Church officials in Greece have been implicated in a scheme to launder over €3 million (£2.5 million) of embezzled funds through cafes and nightclubs.
An investigation by Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority revealed that the Church’s money was funneled into the Greek nightlife scene, leading to the freezing of bank accounts and assets belonging to five nightclub owners in the southern Peloponnese region.
According to Euronews, the case dates back eight years, starting with an unusual transaction to one of the five individuals, which was disguised as a typical investment.
The latest suspected illegal transfer of €50,000 occurred just a few days ago.
What began as a random audit has been forwarded to the chief prosecutor’s office for a more extensive criminal investigation. Prosecutors are expected to question seven individuals regarding allegations of embezzlement and money laundering and initiate felony proceedings.
In response to the accusations, the Catholic Church in Greece stated on Thursday that it was unaware of the actions of the two priests involved.
“Following today’s press reports on embezzlement and money laundering, we declare that we have no official information on the issue. We are therefore awaiting updates from the relevant authorities so that we can formulate an official stance on the matter,” the Church said.
