Italian Priest Allegedly Stole $120K From Church to Buy Drugs for Sex Parties

Francesco Spagnesi, a 40-year-old Italian priest, was arrested last week after he allegedly stole around $120,000 in church funds in order to buy drugs for his secret sex parties, the Times reported via original Italian publication Corriere della Sera.

Police received a tip about Spagnesi after his roommate imported a liter of GHB, a central nervous system depressant that has been labeled a “date rape” drug, from the Netherlands. Police are currently conducting an investigation, interviewing as many as 200 people who have allegedly attended Spagnesi’s sex parties throughout the past two years. Only 15 people have admitted to attending the parties so far. The Roman Catholic priest is currently under house arrest.

Spagnesi and his roommate have been suspected of using online dating sites to invite people to these parties, where they have been accused of using and selling drugs. During a recent raid on the apartment, officers discovered what appeared to be homemade crack pipes. Prior to the arrest, Italian media had described Spagnesi as a “young, educated, and brilliant” priest.