Ex Parish Priest Indicted for Cleaning Out Faithful Accounts

Pinerolo: An 81-year-old former parish priest at Pinerolo near Turin has been sent to trial for allegedly cleaning out the bank accounts of three members of his flock, allegedly taking advantage of their vulnerable mental states, la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera newspapers reported Wednesday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Don Paolo Bianciotto has been indicted on charges of taking advantage of disabled people. The cleric allegedly persuaded a widow, her son, and another woman parishioner, all with psychiatric issues and cognitive deficits, to transfer all their funds into fake charitable investments he had made.

The probe also concerns gifts of two houses, two bars, a car, and other property to the priest’s housekeeper, who is not under investigation, police were reported as saying.