Marsaxlokk Parish Priest’s Alleged Victims Do Not Consider Themselves Victims, Lawyers Tell Court
The alleged victims of Parish Priest Luke Seguna do not consider themselves victims, defence lawyers told the court in another sitting defined by testimonies supporting the embattled clergyman.
“These alleged victims don’t even consider themselves as victims. They came here saying that they gave the funds to the priest,” lawyer Alex Scerri Herrera told the court.
Still, the court did rule that there existed enough evidence for the case to continue.
Today’s sitting saw details emerge on some of Seguna’s purchases which included a €29,000 Land Rover, a €5,000 Fiat 500, a €700 motorbike and a €34,000 garage in Paola.
The garage and the land rover, the two largest expenses, were funded through loans from the Curia and part-financed through bank loans.
Meanwhile, one testimony confirmed that she donated to the priest in his personal capacity, while another said that she donated funds to repair a bell tower, insisting that the works were carried out.
Seguna is facing charges of misappropriating around €500,000 from 150 parishioners. The case has piqued public interest given his position and claims that he allegedly spent €148,000 on pornographic websites amid the priest’s “sexual crisis”.
What has raised eyebrows is Seguna holding 10 separate accounts at BOV, HSBC and APS. Meanwhile, one account, called ‘masses’, had seen around €107,000 withdrawn over six years, while having a balance of €80,000.
Seguna insisted that those were personal funds donated to him and has maintained that other cash and cheque donations went directly to the church’s maintenance, community work, and charity.
Countless people have come to Seguna’s defence in court, raising serious questions over the case police have against the man.
What do you think of the case?
READ NEXT: Valletta Vice-Mayor: 'A Father Of Two Just Called Me Asking For Food'
