Kampouris at Evelpidon courts over fraud exceeding €5 million against e-EFKA
LAOS party leader Philippos Kampouris was brought before an investigating magistrate in handcuffs, denying any involvement. The case file includes felony charges and damages exceeding €5 million to the state.
Kampouris before the magistrate: "I am innocent, it is a fabrication"
Philippos Kampouris, leader of LAOS and television presenter, was transferred on Wednesday morning to the courts at the former Evelpidon School as the primary defendant in a large-scale fraud case against e-EFKA. Shortly after 10.00, eight defendants in total departed in handcuffs from the General Police Directorate of Attica to appear before an investigating magistrate and prosecutor.
Leaving under police escort, Kampouris told cameras that he is innocent and that the case is a fabrication. According to Dikastiko.gr, he and his wife are alleged to hold leading roles in the criminal organisation involved in the case. The couple is expected to request time to prepare their defence, as the case file includes felony-level charges.
The fraud mechanism
The case was uncovered following months of investigation by the Economic Crime Prosecution Unit and the Financial Intelligence Unit for combating the laundering of proceeds from criminal activities. According to case file evidence, the ring was based on systematic and repeated defrauding of state funds.
The individuals involved are alleged to have established dozens of shell companies, using as "straw men" persons facing serious financial difficulties. These businesses, which operated mainly in the catering and clothing sectors, functioned normally for a certain period without paying insurance contributions to e-EFKA or taxes to the state.
As debts accumulated, the ring would proceed with the abrupt closure of the businesses, according to police. Immediately afterwards, new shell companies are alleged to have been established in the same manner of operation, repeating the illegal process from the beginning.
Damages exceeding five million euros
Debts to e-EFKA alone exceed €1.5 million. The total economic damage to the state is estimated to exceed €5 million.
The competent authorities are not limiting their investigations to debts to state funds. Under investigation are also the bank transactions of the defendants, whilst a telephone interception order has been issued to reveal the ring's connections. At the same time, the possibility of fictitious invoicing to the political party of the organisation's leader is being examined.
Source: Dikastiko.gr