Paschi di Siena bank officials in graft probe

About 10 former top officials of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena have been named in a probe into a financial scandal that has shaken the Italian bank to its core, national media reported Saturday. Prosecutors launched legal proceedings into the bank some 10 days ago after media revealed that hundreds of millions of euros were missing from BMPS' accounts after risky investments in complex financial products. According to local media, BMPS directors tried to conceal the losses. Questioning of the former bank officials is expected to start next week. The investigation also centres on the bank's 2007 acquisition of Antonveneta from Spanish banking group Santander for 10 billion euros ($13.6 billion), at least 2.0 billion euros more than the small bank's estimated value at the time. Accusations range from conspiracy to fraud, including the provision of false information and preventing proper oversight by banking authorities. The media revelations emerged just as Italy's government granted a 3.9 billion euro bailout to BMPS, the world's oldest bank. On Saturday, Rome's administrative tribunal (TAR), in a provisional decision, rejected a request from consumer association Codacons to block the loan as a preventive measure. Codacons, which has also called for Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco to step down, claims the Bank of Italy was not transparent in granting the bailout and said it will lodge a complaint that the central bank violated EU rules on state aid. The Bank of Italy has, in turn, called Codacons' complaint "unfounded" and has asked for TAR to fine it. A new hearing has been set for February 20. Also in the legal case linked to BMPS, Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation regarding market manipulation and obstructing the work of banking watchdogs.