Ex-priest stole millions for sex parties

The Sun Daily
January 28, 2015

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1310144

OSLO: A former Norwegian priest admitted to embezzling about 15 million kroner (RM6.8 million) from a welfare foundation to spend on lavish parties with prostitutes in Spain.

"It was totally out of control, the size of the sum shows that," Are Blomhoff told the district court in Drammen, Norway.

Blomhoff said there was nothing left of the money he embezzled over a seven-year period when asked by the judge, the online edition of Bergens Tidende reported.

The case came to light in 2013.

Blomhoff, as head of the foundation Stiftelsen Betanien, was able to transfer funds to a fake account he created.

It appeared to be linked to a nursing home the foundation runs in Spain.

The foundation employs about 500 people and also runs a hospital, a daycare centre and a nursing school in Bergen, western Norway.

"This is the toughest day of my life – to admit to something that was so removed from myself, yet part of me," he said in court.

According to the report, Blomhoff said he had a problem with drinking, but took full blame for his actions and apologised to his former employer and family.

The funds were mainly used for large parties where female prostitutes were paid to attend, and then offered their services to male guests.

The women received between US$1,300 and US$1,700 per party.

No date was announced for sentencing. – dpa