Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Son's alleged fraud bankrupts bishop

|
|
 
  
Published: Sept. 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM

OSLO, Norway, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A Norwegian bishop faces bankruptcy after collecting millions of kroner for his son, who was supposed to use the money for a high-tech startup company.

The son, Bjarte Baasland, has been charged with fraud, Aftenposten said. He is believed to be hiding in the Czech Republic.

Bishop Ernst Baasland, who heads the diocese of Stavanger, told TV2 he expects his son to come back to Norway Thursday to face the criminal charges. Baasland and his wife, who became guarantors for money given to their sons, are scheduled to appear in bankruptcy court the same day.

Baasland is believed to be the first bishop in the Church of Norway to file for bankruptcy. He is on a leave of absence.

The church, which follows the Lutheran tradition, is established as a state institution.

One of the son's alleged victims, Selvaag construction heiress Cecilie Nustad, claims that she lost more than 26 million kroner ($4.5 million).

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade The making of the Oscars
The Chicago Auto Show The Most Desirable Women of 2012 Tu Bishvat Migron settlement
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 21
President Obama Signs Smuggling Prevention Act at White House
View Caption
fark
Dude looks like a lady
All fifth graders who want to go see "Red Tails" please step forward. Whoa not so fast there girls...
If we timewarped back by 2000 years, what job would you be most qualified to do? No, you can't bring...
BAD: getting caught in a landslide while hiking. WORSE: getting struck by lightning while trying...
Weepy eyes, hot chix, Jersey Shore Ronnie and a guy with mini fishing reels stuck in his beard....
French roadbuilders find 21 German WWI soldiers...and 1 goat