The Athens Prosecutor’s Office has filed criminal charges for numerous felonies and misdemeanors against the 19 individuals arrested for their involvement in the two organizations engaged in setting up fake companies and providing protection to brothels and gambling clubs.

The 19 arrestees face charges, depending on their role, for the following:

• Leading a criminal organization (applies to three individuals aged 58, 55, and 37),
• Forming and joining a criminal organization,
• Aggravated fraud against the state exceeding 120,000 euros, committed jointly and repeatedly,
• Bribery committed jointly,
• Accepting bribes (applies to the four police officers),
• Money laundering,
• Illegal possession of weapons,
• Illegal possession of fireworks and flares, and
• Possession of narcotic substances for personal use.

Additionally, the prosecutor has brought charges related to the offenses of illegal gambling operations and pimping against individuals who have not yet been arrested during the current stage of the investigation.

The 19 individuals arrested for their involvement in the criminal organization that was dismantled yesterday morning by the Internal Affairs Division of the Greek Police, and in which four police officers are involved, were brought before the Prosecutor and Investigator a short time ago.

Among those arrested and transported to the Evelpidon Courts are the 37-year-old officer, who was named Police Officer of the Year in 2019, and three special guards.

The 37-year-old officer is believed to have played a key role in the ring, as she communicated directly with the 58-year-old head of the organization, who is already known to the authorities.

The organization operated in two groups that functioned like “connected vessels.” The first group provided protection to brothels and cover for illegal gambling clubs, either by notifying their owners of inspections or ensuring that no inspections took place.

The second group set up the fake companies that were used for money laundering through VAT evasion, with the total turnover from illegal activities exceeding 60 million euros, and the loss to the state amounting to 20 million euros.

The Tolls, Payments, and the Officer with the Rich Resume

The full scope of the multi-faceted operation, which, with the help of police officers, deceived the state through fake companies and provided cover for brothels and clubs, is being outlined by the Greek Police investigators handling the case.

Well-informed sources told protothema.gr that other individuals, including police officers, are involved in the case and will soon face serious charges. So far, the investigation has revealed that the ring provided cover for eight brothels and five gambling clubs. The leader of the group is a 58-year-old known by the aliases “Kritikos” or “Lefteris.” He, along with the 37-year-old second-in-command and, of course, with the help of the police officer with the rich resume, ensured the cover of their “clients.”

However, their main activity wasn’t “protection,” but financial fraud. Specifically, the members of the organization set up fake companies and reaped huge profits from VAT evasion. It is estimated that their turnover exceeds 60-70 million euros, while the loss to the state from the VAT amounts to 20 million euros.

The Tolls, Payments, and the Officer with the Rich Resume

As for the “protection” they provided to brothels and clubs, the ring members approached the owners, promised to provide cover for their operations, and subsequently received payments for their services every 15 days.

According to well-informed sources, the members of the ring promised their “clients” that they would ensure that no inspections would be carried out at their establishments or, if one was imminent, they would be notified in advance.

For their services, they received between 800 and 2,500 euros every 15 days, with the notable fact that payments were made on the first and 15th of each month in offices rented by the ring members on Syggrou Avenue.

The Rich Resume of the Officer

At the same time, the rich resume of the police officer who, along with three special guards, was arrested for involvement in the organization is striking.

The police officer graduated from the Police Academy in Didymoteicho, served in the Economic Police, was named Police Officer of the Year in 2019, and is now involved in the criminal organization.

The young officer, who had been serving in the Economic Police and had excellent prospects for a career, given that she also holds a law degree, is now facing charges from her colleagues, who accuse her of playing a key role in the ring’s activities related to providing protection to brothels and clubs.

She was the one with direct contact with the 58-year-old alleged leader of the organization and often visited his home, especially on the days when the “clients” of the organization made their payments.

Police officers reportedly also have photographic evidence of these visits and have recorded her once leaving the 58-year-old’s house while carrying bags. Additionally, the Internal Affairs Division has recorded her, allegedly showing a police document to the group’s leader through her phone and discussing it, although the contents of the document are yet to be clarified.

Moreover, the police have recorded a conversation in which the group’s leader speaks to a contractor and asks him to renovate the officer’s kitchen.

It is noteworthy that, according to well-informed sources, when the police officer began to realize that she might be under surveillance by the authorities, she started meeting with the 58-year-old alleged leader, pretending they were in a romantic relationship, something that apparently did not convince the investigators who had placed her under scrutiny.