Revealing conversations between people arrested in the “Choriatiko” case have been uncovered by SKAI’s “Report at 10” programme, presented by Mina Karamitrou and Giorgos Grigoriadis. The recordings show how the ring operated through the labyrinthine “system” of companies identified by the authorities.
According to the report, Angelos Giannakopoulos, owner of the bakery chain, asked to be called “Fani” in telephone conversations in case he was being recorded by a Greek police wiretap.
Among the conversations involving those arrested and included in the case file is one in which the defendants arrange “little gifts” for inspectors, whom they refer to as “godchildren”.
-Defendant A: Let me ask you, if I get a few, do they all have to be perfumes? Is it a problem if I get some lipsticks too?
-Defendant B: No, go on, get whatever you like. Just don’t get anything really cheap.
-Defendant A: They’re not cheap, they cost €40. Do I have to get ones for €100?
-Defendant B: Ah, exactly, exactly. No, that’s fine.
-Defendant A: Get a little perfume too for…
-Defendant B: I’ll get some, yes, yes.
-Defendant A: For the ten or so we definitely need.
-Defendant B: Yes, I’ll get some, but I’ll also get a few lipsticks for the more low-key ones.
-Defendant A: Look through the list I gave you and we’ll go through it each time. (…..) At that one at KEA, you know, a supervisor who’s on the committee.
-Defendant A: I’ve got gifts for the godchildren.
-Defendant B: Monday, Monday morning. Let’s set aside a little time to pop over.
-Defendant A: You’ll go to the ones I can’t stand; you’ll go to the ones I can’t stand.
Many public officials received these “little gifts” to help meet the needs of the criminal organisation, according to the investigation.
The wiretap also captured a revealing conversation between employees of nightclubs on Syngrou, which Angelos Giannakopoulos is behind. The conversation also includes references to drugs.
The full conversation:
- A: Good morning. Are you open?
- B: Uh, I am, I am still open, yes.
- A: Good. Don’t leave. M… the grumpy one is bringing an Australian down to you. OK?
- B: OK.
- A: He’s spent about seven thousand. Stay there, and he’s bringing this one too…
- B: OK.
At this point, one of them speaks to another person who is apparently with him, saying:
- Caller: M… take him and take him downstairs.
- Another person: I’m not taking him downstairs. Give him some—he wants coke. What am I supposed to do with him?
- Caller: Leave him alone, why are you shouting? What coke are you on about? Why are you shouting, you idiot? Take him downstairs.
It is recalled that the 59 people arrested in connection with tax evasion at the Choriatiko bakeries have been charged with:
- Forming, directing or joining a criminal organisation
- Fraud against the Greek state and legal entities governed by public law, involving more than €120,000
- Tax evasion of more than €150,000 through the submission of an inaccurate tax return and failure to remit VAT
- Aiding and abetting tax evasion
- Failure to pay employer and employee contributions on time (misdemeanour)
- Forgery involving more than €120,000
- Pimping jointly and on a continuing basis
- Robbery jointly
- Fraud jointly
- Repeated breach of residency restrictions
- An aggravated form of money laundering