NGO fraud "Children's Playground": 35-year-old remanded in custody – €300,000 in assets seized in Luxembourg
The 35-year-old partner of the NGO founder was sent to prison following her statement. On Thursday, the 37-year-old is to appear before the judge on charges of embezzling €2.9 million.
Partner of "Children's Playground" founder remanded in custody – assets of accused seized
The 35-year-old partner of the founder of the NGO "Children's Playground" was remanded in custody following the completion of her statement before the investigating magistrate in Thessaloniki, according to In.gr. Simultaneously, the Financial Crime Squad, headed by Charalampos Vourliotis, ordered the seizure of assets belonging to the main accused.
On Thursday (5 November) the 37-year-old founder of the NGO is expected to appear before the investigating magistrate. He is accused of embezzling €2.9 million from charitable donations intended for children with serious health problems.
The 35-year-old's statement: "He gambled the money away"
During her statement, the 35-year-old denied all charges and placed responsibility on the 37-year-old, the president of the NGO. She claimed that the sum which did not reach the families of the ill children did not exceed €900,000 — in contrast with the €2.9 million cited in the indictment.
According to reports, the accused woman claimed that the 37-year-old squandered the money due to a gambling addiction. "The missing money from the donations is not that much. And my ex-husband took it and gambled it away, he is addicted. I apologise," she is reported to have said, among other things.
The 35-year-old also referred to her living conditions, saying that she resides in a 68 square-metre flat in Toumba. She stressed that there was no complaint from any family and that the needs of all those for whom donations were collected were met.
Money found in accounts in Luxembourg
The Financial Crime Squad identified, through tracing PayPal accounts, funds totalling €300,000 in Luxembourg connected to the case. Additionally, the seizure of property in the Thessaloniki area was ordered.
Competent sources point out that the seized amounts can be claimed by the donors, based on the relevant receipts.
Three other accused released on conditions
The 32-year-old brother of the 35-year-old, as well as two other arrested individuals who gave their statements the same day, were released on restrictive conditions. Today (4 November) another accused is expected to appear before the investigating magistrate.
Attention is now turning to the founder of the NGO: the 37-year-old is called upon to provide explanations regarding the management of the millions collected through charitable donations for children with serious health problems.
Source: In.gr