The owner of the well-known Choriatiko bakery chain was arrested as part of a major operation by the Organised Crime Department of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime over tax fraud involving millions of euros.
The operation is under way and, according to reports, concerns the full range of financial crimes allegedly committed by the bakery chain and others.
The investigation is not confined to the bakeries but covers the owner’s entire business activities. Angelos Giannakopoulos has been arrested for now. He is said to own nightclubs as well as bakeries and to be involved in businesses along the coastal avenue. The Choriatiko chain is only one of the businesses under investigation.
According to reports, the charges concern fraud against the state, tax evasion and failure to remit VAT and social security contributions at more than 200 outlets in the chain he owns, as well as at other businesses in which he is alleged to be the owner or an undisclosed owner and which operate through third parties. The losses are said to reach or exceed €100 million.
So far, the businessman has been arrested. The police operation and arrests are ongoing, and the Hellenic Police is expected to issue an announcement once the operation is complete.
It is worth noting that he had previously come to the attention of the authorities in connection with very serious cases.
The police operation over the Choriatiko bakery chain is in full swing, with more than 30 arrests. The number of defendants could reach 100, according to Giorgos Kallianmanis, honorary president of the Southeastern Attica Police Officers’ Association, speaking on ERTnews’s “Update” programme.
He said that people who allegedly acted as “straw men”, posing as company representatives, were also believed to be involved.
According to him, the investigation concerns alleged tax evasion, failure to pay social security contributions to EFKA and possible involvement in human trafficking. On the latter point, Mr Kallianmanis said there was information about websites through which women were allegedly trafficked, adding that the investigation was ongoing.
The 2008 case and the change of name
Mr Kallianmanis also referred to an earlier case in 2008, when, he said, the owner was arrested and there was evidence said to link the business to money laundering.
According to him, the business expanded after its name was changed, including through a franchise system in many parts of Greece.
“The name was different, and then he opened this business under another name,” he said, adding that, according to initial reports, investigators were examining whether similar activities had continued. He stressed, however, that further investigation was needed as the police operation was still in full swing.