Paul KeenanThe Vatican has announced that it has requested an independent investigation of its own accounting offices, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA).
With initiatives already well underway to boost the Vatican Bankís image in the wake of recent scandals, action on APSA has become almost inevitable following the June arrest of member Msgr Nunzio Scarano who served as an accountant with the body, but whose detention for allegedly smuggling Ä20 million into Italy drew international attention onto APSA. Just last week, leaked testimony from the monsignor led to media reports that APSA is facilitating money laundering and tax evasion by as yet unnamed individuals.