Revelations surfaced today when AUSTRAC Executive Director Nicole Rose appeared on a Senate committee hearing.
Newsroom (October 20, 2020 12:15 pm Gaudium Press) — The Australian government’s financial intelligence service, AUSTRAC, has handed over information to the country’s federal police regarding the hundreds of thousands of euros. The money was sent from the Vatican Secretariat of State to Australia during Cardinal Pell’s trial. Some claim that the funds may have been used to buy witnesses against the Cardinal.
The news surfaced today when AUSTRAC Executive Director Nicole Rose appeared at a Senate committee hearing.
When questioned about the money, Rose responded: “Yes, I can confirm AUSTRAC has looked into the matter and we’ve provided information to the AFP [Australian Federal Police] and to Victoria Police.” The questioning was made by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on October 20.
According to the Corriere Della Sera, the money transfer is part of a dossier of evidence compiled by the investigators in the case of Cardinal Angelo Becciu. On September 24, he waived his rights to the Cardinalate. He is undergoing a financial investigation for his dealings while substitute to the Vatican Secretary of State.
According to the newspaper Il Messagero, the accusations concerning the money transferred to Australia are raised by Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, a former official of the Secretariat of State. Perlasca is allegedly cooperating with Vatican prosecutors in an investigation into irregularities in Vatican finances.
For his part, Cardinal Becciu has denied any interference in the trial involving Cardinal Pell in Australia.
Read also: Pope meets with Nuncio Yllana: suspicions grow over 700,000 euros sent to the nunciature in Australia–
With information from CNA