Domenico da Viterbo

Son of the physician Gentile da Viterbo, Domenico became apostolic writer and spent his whole life in Rome. In the years 1487–89, he forged about fifty apostolic letters or bulls, containing various matters, along with his accomplice Francesco Maldente, canon of Forlì. When the crime was uncovered, Domenico confessed his misfits and was imprisoned in the Castle of Sant’Angelo. His father, who had taken care of pope Innocent VIII during an illness, and his two brothers interceded for Domenico’s life with cardinals and other prominent men in Rome. Nevertheless, Innocent VIII requested 6000 florins to give his mercy and save Domenico’s life. Unfortunately, Gentile was able to gather only 5000 florins. After taking the money, the Pope declared that the amount was not enough to redeme such a crime. Therefore, Domenico was eventually executed: on 19 October 1489, the apostolic writer was deprived of his office, hanged in Piazza S. Pietro and then burned in Campo de’ Fiori (for a detailed account, see http://www.executedtoday.com/tag/francesco-maldente/).