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).
