Kampouries case: "No fraud or criminal organisation", says lawyer Lytras
Lawyer Apostolos Lytras categorically denies the charges against Philippos Kampouries. At the centre are companies with debts, witnesses and complaints from employees.
Lytras: Kampouries' companies had real business activity — denies fraud and organisation
Philippos Kampouries' lawyer, Apostolos Lytras, categorically rules out any guilt as investigations continue into companies said to be connected with the presenter. According to Newsit.gr, Lytras spoke on the "Live News" programme and defended his client, rejecting both claims of fraud against the state and the existence of a criminal organisation.
"Neither fraud against the state nor a criminal organisation is substantiated," Lytras said on the programme. He added that the companies connected with Kampouries operated with genuine business purposes and were not created for the purpose of defrauding the state. The lawyer also emphasised that his client has no assets.
For his part, Philippos Kampouries himself speaks of political persecution. According to reporting, the presenter was taken to hospital following a fainting episode.
At the centre of the investigation are companies said to have left debts to the state, as well as invoices that were issued — according to "Live News" — even to Kampouries' political party. Known artists are expected to testify, whilst of particular interest are testimonies from people who claim they were connected with the companies without knowing of their financial obligations.
Among them is a former collaborator of the presenter, known as "Kololoumbas", who stated that during 2009–2013 he was homeless. He claims that in 2014 Kampouries suggested he sign documents for certain companies, in exchange for rent being covered. "I had only finished primary school. He was well-known, he had his own programme," he said, describing the circumstances under which he accepted, according to him, the proposal.
Meanwhile, employees are complaining that they remain in employment limbo, as they continue to appear as employed in businesses that do not operate normally. "I continue to be an employee. I need a dismissal letter so I can apply to an unemployment fund," one of them said.
Another complainant claimed that larger salaries were declared than those she actually received, with the result that she was burdened with additional tax. "He charged higher amounts than what we took and then the state taxed us more," she said, adding that she has filed a complaint with EFKA without receiving a response for two years, as she claims.
Source: Newsit.gr