Unwell abbot sends finance |director to answer DSI queries

The DSI is seeking explanation about 15 cheques worth Bt875 million allegedly received from Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative’s former chairman, Supachai Srisupa-aksorn.
The DSI investigators and the public prosecutor were to discuss whether to summon the abbot again at today’s meeting.
Phra Maha Boonchai Jaruthatto, the finance and accounting director at Wat Dhammakaya, told Pol Lt-Colonel Pakorn Suchivakul, who heads the DSI investigation team, that the temple only received 13 cheques – seven worth Bt120 million in Phra Dhammachayo’s name an six others in the temple’s name. He insisted the temple had no knowledge of two other cheques that were in Phra Dhammachayo’s name, and he did not get that money. He said anybody could have cashed them because donation cheques allow the bearer to get the cash.
Phra Maha Boonchai said the Bt120 million was deposited in the foundation’s accounts and spent on construction of religious places. He said the abbot didn’t know or check on the spending of donation money, as it was the responsibility of Phra Maha Boonchai, who would bring a money withdrawal form for the abbot to sign and would deposit it according to the foundation’s system.