The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has recommended Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, be charged with aiding and abetting the prime suspect in the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case.
The DSI has concluded its investigations into the case, Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sucheewakul, head of the DSI's Finance and Banking Office, said on Thursday.
Supachai Srisuppa-aksorn, ex-chairman of the cooperative, was accused of having fraudulently authorised 878 cheques worth 11.37 billion baht in total for seven groups of people and juristic entities.
The acts were considered embezzlement or aiding and abetting others to steal because there had been no financial obligations between the cooperative and the groups.
The seven groups are: Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Phra Dhammachayo; Maharattana Ubasika Chan Khonnokyoong Foundation and monks related to it; other cooperatives; suspects and prospective suspects; individuals; land brokers; and juristic persons.
The money trails of the first two groups showed they had received cheques from the credit union in 21 instances totalling 1.2 billion baht.
"The investigating team found the monk and his collaborators might have aided and abetted Mr Supachai in embezzling the cooperative's assets, stealing from his employer or accepting stolen assets, laundering money, performing or refraining from performing his duties illegitimately," Pol Lt Col Pakorn said.