Embezzlement trial begins at the Vatican

At 10:00am this morning, at the Vatican City Courthouse, the first hearing of the criminal trial against Giuseppe Profiti and Massimo Spina was held.  They have been accused of embezzling funds from the Bambino Gesù Foundation.

The accused, who were both present this morning, were accompanied by their respective lawyers: Antonello Blasi (for Giuseppe Profiti) and Alfredo Ottaviani (for Massimo Spina).

The judges entrusted with hearing the case are

• Professor Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, President;
• Professor Venerando Marano, Judge; and
• Professor Carlo Bonzano, Judge.

The Office of the Promotor of Justice was represented this morning by Professor Gian Piero Milano and by his associate, Professor Roberto Zannotti.

Following the reading of the charges by the Chancellor, some preliminary exceptions were evaluated.  Then, the judges indicated that the hearing will continue on 7, 8 and 9 September.  Testimony will be heard on those dates from both the witnesses and the defendants.