rooster59 Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Ex-official, monk deny embezzling temple funds By KORNKAMOL AKSORNDEJ THE NATION A FORMER high-ranking official at the National Buddhism Office (NBO) and a senior monk yesterday denied allegations that they had embezzled state funds for temples. Narongdej Chainet, a former chief of the Sing Buri Buddhism Office, and Phra Ratcharattana-muni, assistant abbot of Pichayayatiakaram Temple, reported themselves to the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) police yesterday. “Both denied any wrongdoing. They also said they would testify only in court,” CCD commander Pol Maj-General Kamol Rienracha said. Narongdej has been accused of taking Bt38.5 million in kickbacks from four temples after the NBO granted them Bt88 million. The four temples are: Pichayayatiakaram Temple, Daodeungsaram Temple, Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan Temple and Huai Sai Khao Temple. Police have questioned several senior officials of the NBO, including the retirees, as evidence suggested that state funds for temples had been embezzled for many years. Last month, the National Anti-Corruption Commission indicted nine current and former civil servants for embezzlement. Among those indicted are NBO former director Phanom Sornsilp and NBO former deputy director Pranom Kongpikul. The damage is estimated to be well over Bt100 million in total. The NACC has also recommended disciplinary actions against several NBO officials, who allegedly responded to Pranom’s order in preparing documents retroactively in a bid to cover up her crimes. The alleged embezzlement was exposed in 2015, when a monk at a southern temple decided to speak up about a senior official’s demand for kickbacks. The probe, which started from that case, later revealed that the demand for kickbacks was widespread. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30338447 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Dude Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 The never ending supply of stories like this just keep coming. Whether true or not, the fact that so many senior monks are continually being hauled in for financial irregularities is just bad. I guess it's all too tempting now for them considering the amounts of cash involved and living virtuously doesn't appeal much in a world of social media, luxury and excess with little (if any) accountability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YetAnother Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 1 hour ago, rooster59 said: later revealed that the demand for kickbacks was widespread. this is a way of life for them, the way things are done; they do not reduce these practices to their twisted morality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyman58 Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 just misunderstanding again. They did not embezzle the money They borrowed it. Big difference. Had every intention on paying it back in 2030. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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