Μake us preferred on Google Eleven people accused of involvement in a scheme that caused significant financial losses to Greece’s social security system will appear before an investigating magistrate on Sunday after requesting additional time to prepare their statements.
The 11 defendants appeared in court Wednesday after being transferred from the headquarters of the Attica police, where they had been held. They were given a deadline of 9 a.m. Sunday to provide their explanations to the magistrate.
Among those charged are former television presenter and leader of an extra-parliamentary political party Filippos Kampouris and his wife.
Five felony charges and one misdemeanor
Prosecutors have brought five felony charges and one misdemeanor against the defendants, depending on the role attributed to each person.
The charges include directing, forming or participating in a criminal organization; repeated and joint fraud against a legal entity involving losses of more than €120,000; aiding and abetting fraud; money laundering; and the failure to pay employers’ and employees’ social security contributions on time.
According to the case file, the scheme caused approximately €1.5 million in losses to EFKA, Greece’s social security fund, through unpaid contributions.
Authorities estimate that the Greek state also lost about €5 million in unpaid taxes.
Kampouris denies the allegations. Leaving police headquarters, he declared himself innocent, described the case as a “fabrication” and said he would prove his innocence.
His lawyers said after the proceedings that the case did not concern fraud but debts, which they said were similar to those faced by many citizens.
All defendants are presumed innocent until a final court ruling.
Investigation into companies allegedly used as fronts
The investigation has also involved testimony from four well-known singers, according to information cited in the case. The singers appeared as insured employees of companies that authorities describe as “front” businesses.
Other well-known figures from the music industry are also expected to be called to testify before the magistrate. They are similarly stated to have appeared as insured employees of the companies under investigation.
The case emerged after a months-long investigation by Greece’s Hellenic Police financial and organized crime authorities, described in the report as the Greek FBI, which examined the group’s activities dating back to 2013.
According to investigators, the first front company was established that year, followed by the creation of at least 29 companies over subsequent years.
The businesses included nightclubs, advertising companies and restaurants. According to the case file, the companies were registered in the names of people with low incomes who acted as nominal owners or “front men.”
When the businesses accumulated debts from unpaid social security contributions and taxes, they allegedly ceased operations and new companies were created using the same method.
Alleged roles of the defendants
According to authorities, Kampouris and his wife played a central role in the operation of the scheme, issuing instructions and directing other members.
Two brothers who are businesspeople also held key positions. Investigators say they sought out and recruited the people who were formally listed as owners of the companies.
The 11 defendants are now expected to appear before the investigating magistrate at 9 a.m. Sunday to give their accounts of the allegations.
