In a lengthy statement, businessman Kostas Piladakis responds to the publication of the freezing of their assets by the Money Laundering Authority.

Kostas Piladakis denies the accusations attributed to him, states that he is at the disposal of the authorities and points out that he has undergone exhaustive tax audits from time to time, which have not revealed any illegality.

“I have been informed by publications,” he says at the beginning of his reply, “that I am under scrutiny and that my assets have been frozen as part of an audit by a competent authority. No one has called me to explain the unsubstantiated facts reported in the publications.”

He goes on to stress that “I will request my proxies to obtain copies and make representations to the relevant authorities. I believe that leaks in such cases do not do honour to anyone.”

He goes on to point out “both I and my companies of interest have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits from time to time and it has been amply demonstrated that there was not a shadow of illegality.

We have been in business for more than three decades. My companies and I have paid hundreds of millions of euros in taxes and insurance contributions to the Greek state. Until 2010 we did not owe a single euro to anyone. The casino business was caught in the maelstrom of the unprecedented economic crisis.”

“I mortgaged all my property”

The businessman goes on to discuss how he managed to keep his business alive.

“I employed over 400 people. For more than 10 years the companies employed at least 210 overworked employees. This and the heavy taxation combined with the collapse of revenues led the companies to owe large sums of money, mainly to insurance companies. We made a huge effort to meet the obligations.”

Continuing, Kostas Piladakis refers to what he did to rescue his companies saying: “I mortgaged and sold all my property to support the companies and avoid the layoffs of so many people. I suffered hardships and even losses from the Greek State for not returning VAT due to my company for years, which we finally assigned and the State collected. Even to this day, the state owes millions of euros for which I have appealed to the courts and have won the appeals in the first and second instance. And this delay has caused me incalculable damage, both individually and to my companies.

Concluding his statement the businessman underlines: “I do not accept accusations of alleged money laundering or tax evasion being circulated in all news channels and media. Everything was and is done legally. I understand that the coordinated State does and must carry out controls. However, the audit and investigation are not proof of what is being investigated.

I have been, am, and will always be available to the authorities for any audit and any explanation and I am confident that the truth will shine through.”

Kostas Piladakis statement

“I have been informed by publications that I am under scrutiny and that my assets have been frozen as part of an audit by a competent authority.

No one has called me to explain what is unfoundedly reported in the publications. I will make a request, through my proxies, to obtain copies and make representations to the relevant authorities. I believe that leaks in such cases do not do honour to anyone.

Both I and companies of my interest have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits from time to time and it has been amply demonstrated that there was not a shadow of illegality.

I have been in business for more than 3 decades. My companies and I have delivered hundreds of millions of euros in taxes and insurance contributions to the Greek State. Until 2010 we did not owe a single euro to anyone. The casino business was caught in the maelstrom of an unprecedented economic crisis.

We managed to keep the businesses alive. We employed over 400 people. For more than 14 years at least 210 overworked employees worked in the companies. This and the heavy taxation, combined with the collapse in revenue, led to the companies owing large sums of money, mainly to the insurance companies. We made tremendous efforts to meet our obligations.

I mortgaged or even sold all my property to support the businesses and avoid laying off so many people.

I suffered hardships and even damage from the Greek State for not returning VAT due to my company for years, which we finally assigned and the State collected. Even to this day, the State owes me millions of euros, for which I have appealed to the courts and have won at first and second instance the appeals. And this delay has caused me incalculable damage both individually and to my companies.

I do not accept accusations of alleged money laundering or tax evasion being circulated in all news channels and media. Everything was and is done legally. I understand that the coordinated state does and should do checks.

However, the audit and investigation are not proof of what is being investigated. I have been, am, and will always be available to the authorities for any audit and any explanation and I am confident that the truth will shine through.

Constantine Piladakis”