Archbishop Faces Fraud Charges

Prosecutors on Friday sought the indictment of a powerful Sicilian archbishop on fraud charges.

Salvatore Cassisa was accused of extorting kickbacks for restoration work at the cathedral in Monreale, a town of 24,000 just outside Palermo. Cassisa, 72, also was charged with fraudulently taking European Union money earmarked for vineyards on church land.

Cassisa was already under suspicion in a mob case: Authorities say a major Mafia boss used his secretary’s cellular telephone while a fugitive.

The ANSA news agency said Palermo prosecutors were investigating Cassisa for mob links.