Buddhist monk arrested in suspected $3m embezzlement scandal

"But the money from both streams did not enter the temple's account. Not a single baht," lead police investigator Pattanasak Bupphasuwan told a news conference, according to reports.Police found cash and gold bars worth more than 100 million baht while raiding Phra Wachirayan's residence on Thursday, with counting going on until late into the night, Thai news outlet The Nation reported.While examining CCTV footage in the residence, police found a clip of him having sex with a woman on his dining table.Authorities identified her as 47-year-old Punyavee Rungrueang, who has been arrested on charges of abetting a state official in illegal activities. She has yet to comment publicly. Many monks in Thailand receive stipends from the government and are therefore considered state officials.Police seized 35 gold amulets, along with about 1.5kg of gold bars and jewellery, worth an estimated 6.04 million baht, from Punyavee's home.Police believe Punyavee helped Phra Wachirayan manage his embezzled proceeds, noting that tens of millions of baht circulated through her bank accounts each year, The Bangkok Post reported.Investigators say they started looking into the case in mid July, after receiving an anonymous tip alleging Phra Wachirayan of misconduct and misuse of temple funds.