This morning at 10.15, at Vatican City State Tribunal, the second hearing took place in the criminal trial of Giuseppe Profiti and Massimo Spina, charged with misappropriation of funds from the Bambino Gesù Foundation.

The defendants, both present, were accompanied by their respective court-appointed attorneys: Antonello Blasi for Giuseppe Profiti, and Alfredo Ottaviano for Massimo Spina.

The panel of judges was composed of Professor Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, President; Professor Venerando Marano, Judge; and Professor Carlo Bonzano, Judge.

The Office of the Promoter of Justice was represented by the Promoter, Professor Gian Piero Milano, and the adjunct Promoter, Professor Roberto Zanotti.

The following witnesses were present: Gianantonio Bandera, Marco Bargellini, Paolo Mennini, Paolo Cipriani, and Massimo Tulli. The witnesses Tommaso Di Ruzza and Mariella Enoc were absent.

During the hearing it emerged that a Note was deposited in the Chancellery on 31 August 2017 from the President of the A.I.F. regarding the citation as witnesses of Dr. Tommaso Di Ruzza and a memorandum of 6 September 2017 from the President of the Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital, Dr. Mariella Enoc, with attachments.

At the end of the hearing, the panel of judges indicated that on 19, 21 and 22 September further hearings will take place, during which the defendants and witnesses will be questioned.