Pizza Fan: Owner Antaras before examining magistrate – €1 million in safe and suspicions of AADE leak
Konstantinos Antaras is being brought before an examining magistrate over the Pizza Fan tax evasion network, with 126 defendants and confiscation of assets.
Antaras before examining magistrate: Explanations for cash, denial of extortion
Konstantinos Antaras, owner of the Pizza Fan catering chain, is being brought before an examining magistrate today as part of the investigation into a massive tax evasion network. According to To Vima, he appears ready to file amended tax returns and pay the taxes corresponding to the forged receipts and undeclared "free" pizzas.
A central issue in his defence is the €1,000,000 in cash found in a safe within his residence. His legal representation is expected to deny the remaining serious charges, including the circulation of undeclared money and extortion.
The charges: 126 defendants, felony prosecutions
The case file includes a total of 126 persons. The defendants face felony charges for:
- Formation, membership and direction of a criminal organisation
- Tax evasion exceeding €150,000 (VAT non-payment and inaccurate declarations)
- Direct complicity in the above acts
- Particularly aggravated money laundering from criminal activities (money laundering)
Five released – the second group passes through Evelpides today
The questioning process began on Monday with the first group of ten defendants. By joint decision of the examining magistrate and prosecutor, five of them were released on restrictive conditions: obligation to report to a police station and a €5,000 cash bail. These comprise three accountants, one programmer and one franchise store owner in Nea Ionia.
Today the process continues with the second group, which includes the alleged principal owner and executives with central operational roles.
AADE: Investigation into "informant" from within – recorded conversations
In parallel, developments on the corruption front are rapidly unfolding. The Internal Affairs Directorate of AADE, following instructions from director Georgios Pitsilis, has formally requested information from the Hellenic Police to determine whether there was bribery or information leaks from service employees to the network.
The suspicion is strengthened by recorded telephone conversations in the possession of the Hellenic Police. In these, the businessman defendant appears to have known in advance about impending inspections. Characteristically, in a recorded conversation he states: "Two complaints were made to AADE and they notified us. Since September, now we can't keep up with the islands, we'll do some checks on the till, they'll come and do some inspection, they told us quite clearly like that." The alleged deputy responds: "He didn't go personally to say to make it look like it's from him", whilst the businessman concludes: "No way, are you crazy?"
The "smart" software under forensic analysis
The specialised software used to alter financial records is being thoroughly analysed in forensic laboratories. Authorities estimate that the programme may have been distributed to other catering chains as well.
Analysts are searching for source code, hidden files and duplicate revenue entries that will reveal the true volume of transactions from 2016 to 2026. At the same time, the activities and access of those responsible per franchise store are being mapped.
Confiscation of assets – concern for 2,500 employees
By decision of the president of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Charalampos Vourliotes, the universal confiscation of assets, bank accounts and safes of all defendants has been ordered. To ensure wages, the order explicitly exempts payroll accounts.
However, intense concern prevails amongst the 2,500 employees of the chain. Trade unions and workers held a protest rally outside the company's headquarters, demanding the guarantee of jobs and their social security rights.
Source: To Vima