National Court sends 16 people to trial for 148 million euro VAT fraud in hydrocarbons
Judge Santiago Pedraz attributes seven tax offences, criminal organisation, forgery and money laundering. The 'Gaslow case' involves 82 legal entities and a Guardia Civil captain for bribery and revelation of secrets.
National Court sends 16 people to trial for 148 million euro VAT fraud in hydrocarbons
Sixteen individuals will have to face charges accused of diverting 148 million through evasion of value-added tax on energy products. The investigating judge Santiago Pedraz has ordered the case to be sent for summary proceedings in the case dubbed 'Gaslow', according to Cadena de Suministro.
The defendants are attributed with offences against tax collection, formation of a criminal gang, repeated false documentation and money laundering. The list of those involved also includes a Guardia Civil officer, who is attributed with membership of the plot, bribery, leaking of confidential information and concealment of capital. Eighty-two business entities could face civil liability.
The discovered scheme operated as a network divided into three cells that collaborated with one another. Their strategy involved failing to pay the tax in order to obtain a financial cushion that would allow them to offer fuel below the legal rate, thereby unlawfully expanding their market share.
The structure had several leaders who maintained a horizontal organisation. However, access to fuel supply within the corporate framework depended on two firms: Gaslow Abastecimientos and Nascor Energías.
Expert reports calculate the damage to the Tax Agency was 6.2 million in 2018, 30.9 million in 2019 and 111.8 million in 2020, with these latter amounts channelled through both companies. Once profits were obtained, those responsible did not use them directly from the companies involved, but instead resorted to front men to conceal their origin.
The investigation has quantified money laundering operations totalling approximately 60 million. The panel will now transfer the case file to the Public Prosecutor's Office and to the parties involved so that they may file statements of accusation or request dismissal.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)