The Court of the Vatican City This Tuesday, he condemned the former director of the Choir of the Sistine Chapelmonsignor Massimo Palombellaand two other former officials responsible for irregularities in their financial management.
Palombella has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison, fined 9,000 euros and banned from holding public office, according to the Holy See in a statement.
They have also been convicted Michelangelo Nardellaformer administrative director of the institution, to four years and eight months in prison, a fine of 7,000 euros and a “perpetual” ban on holding public office, and his wife, Simona Rossito two years in prison and a 5,000 euro fine.
The Court has also ordered to seize Nardella the amount of 123,646 euros and another 127,000 euros between him and Palombella.
Laura Sgrò, defense attorney for Nardella and Rossi, said in a statement that she will appeal against the sentence against her two clients. “as soon as possible”.
“We still do not know the reasons for the sentence, which we will appeal in relation to the charges that resulted in conviction”said the lawyer.
According to Sgrò, during the trial she “he questioned many aspects of the reconstruction of events carried out by the promoter of Justice, as well as several procedural annulments that will undoubtedly be grounds for appeal”. The lawyer added that her clients were acquitted of more than half of the charges brought against them.
The trial against the three defendants began in May 2023, accusing them of mismanagement of the Choir’s funds, specifically for the crimes of embezzlement, money laundering and fraud.
The case broke out in September 2018, when the papa Francisco authorized the opening of an investigation into possible financial irregularities in the famous Sistine Chapel Choir.
In January 2019, the pontiff ordered that the Sistine Chapel Choir will become part of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff and appointed an economic administrator, after said financial irregularities were detected.
The Sistine Chapel choir is considered one of the oldest in the world and was created in 1471. It is made up of children and adolescents between 10 and 14 years old, although it also has some adult singers.
(With EFE information)
