Two Arrested in Vatican Leaked Documents Scandal: ‘Grave Betrayal of the Pope’s Trust’

A monsignor who is still active as an employee with the Vatican and a woman from a financial commission have been arrested in connection to another leak of confidential documents Monday morning. The Vatican released a statement confirming the arrests, and noted that shortly after her detainment, Francesca Chaouqui was released for her cooperation.

Rev. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda however is still in a Vatican jail after it was revealed that he played a role in releasing key documents that pertain to the Holy See’s finances. The statement in part reads:

“In the context of judicial police investigations carried out by the Vatican gendarmerie, or police force, and begun several months ago because of the removal and lead of confidential information and documents, on Saturday and Sunday (the) two persons were summoned to be interrogated on the basis of elements and evidence that had been gathered”.

This is not the first time that leaked documents from deep within the Vatican have lead to arrests; a butler employed under Pope Benedict in 2012 leaked documents that the Pope reportedly wanted destroyed. The Vatican identified Monday’s arrests as a “grave betrayal of the Pope’s trust,” and comes just days ahead of the release of two new controversial books, including Merchants In The Temple by Gianluigi Nuzzi highlighting “mistrust and financial abuses”. Rev. Baldi and Chaouqui were members of the COSEA — Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organization of the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See — tasked with managing and oversight of the Vatican’s financial affairs.

[h/t CBS News]

[image via Wikipedia Commons]

—

>> Follow J.D. Durkin on Twitter (@MediaiteJD)

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!