A priest from the diocese of Annecy (Haute-Savoie) appeared on Tuesday before the court of Thonon (Haute-Savoie).
The 64-year-old man had to answer for breach of trust and abuse of weakness.
13 possible victims of the defendant have been identified in the department, reports
Le Dauphiné Libéré
.
The court reserved its decision on July 5.
The investigation targeting the sexagenarian focused on 90,000 euros in donations.
A sum of 65,000 euros was notably donated by a single person.
The doubt is that some of the donors could be considered vulnerable.
Generous gestures would also be likely to be the result of a scam, the prosecution said.
“A chargeable investigation”
The defendant's lawyers denounced "an incriminating investigation", recalling that the two donors described as "vulnerable" had not filed a complaint.
They are also responsible for the highest payouts.
The prosecutor requested a fine of 50,000 euros and a three-year prison sentence, half of which is firm.
Justice
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Annecy
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Priest
Diversion
Flight
Justice