Catholic Church officials in Greece are facing allegations of laundering over €3 million (£2.5 million) of embezzled funds through various cafes and nightclubs.
An investigation by Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority revealed that money from the Catholic Church was funneled into the Greek nightlife scene. As a result, the accounts and assets of five nightclub owners in the Peloponnese region have been frozen.
According to Euronews, the case dates back eight years, beginning with an unusual transaction to one of five individuals disguised as a standard investment.
The most recent suspected illegal transfer of €50,000 occurred just days ago.
What started as a routine audit has been escalated to the chief prosecutor’s office for a deeper criminal investigation. Prosecutors are expected to interrogate seven individuals regarding allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, potentially opening felony proceedings.
In response to the allegations, 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 concerning embezzlement and money laundering, we declare that we have no official information on the matter. We are awaiting updates from the relevant authorities so we can take an official stance,” the Church said.