Vatican Staff Caught in Prostitution Ring

An usher and a choir member at St. Peter's Basilica have been accused of involvement in a gay prostitution ring.

Reuters reports that police recorded Angelo Balducci (pictured), who is in an elite ushers' group called Gentlemen of His Holiness, having phone conversations with Vatican choir member Ghinedu Ehiem about securing male prostitutes. At least one of the prostitutes was studying at a seminary.

In an unrelated ethics investigation, Balducci, who is also a board member for Italy's public works department and construction consultant for the Vatican, was arrested on corruption charges last month. He is still in jail. His lawyer declined comment to Reuters on the prostitution allegations, and the news agency could not reach Ehiem's attorney.

Vatican officials said Balducci was dismissed from Gentlemen of His Holiness and that Ehiem was dismissed by the Giulia Choir.