Greek police on Friday announced the arrests of four tax bureau officials and a private sector accountant on the Ionian Island of Corfu on felony blackmail charges, the latest instance of alleged corruption involving the specific service.
As with a recent and similar case in the south-central city of Halkida, the five are accused of “shaking down” local business owners with promises to prevent audits, promptly return tax rebates or even delay asset seizures for arrears owed to the state.
The accountant reportedly acted as the “go between” between the suspects and business owners and self-employed professionals.
According to reports, the deputy director of the island’s tax bureau and three junior employees were arrested “red-handed”.
All five of the Corfu bureau officials were led before a local prosecutor.
In a quick reaction to the development, National Economy and Finance Minister Costis Hatzidakis again pledged that the ministry and the semi-independent Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR or AADE) will not back down an inch from combating corruption in the services overseen by the authority.
