Sunday’s edition of To Vima newspaper implicated Alternate Administrative Reform Minister George Katrougalos in a practice involving private contracts he signed with dismissed and suspended civil servants.

Vima reporter Vasilis Chiotis bylined an article charging that Katrougalos signed private contracts with sacked civil servants as a lawyer, prior to his ministerial appointment. He represented in return for 12% of their gross earnings should they be reinstated in the public sector, Vima said.

Moreover, some of these contracts were reportedly signed on Jan. 27, the date when he was informed of his ministerial appointment.

Speaking to ANT1 on Monday, Katrougalos said he is not receiving money from these cases, adding that the decision to reinstate civil servants was not his decision but that of the ruling Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA). Asked about whether he will get 12% of their wages as legal fees, he pointed out that this only concerned matters that had to to with salary differences, not appointments.

He said that he would not step down from his duties as lawyer as he believes he has done nothing wrong. He also announced that he would ask for the lifting of the attorney-client privilege concerning his private agreements, adding that if an apology or retraction was not forthcoming he would take action against To Vima and the German daily Bild.