The potential closure of casinos in Corfu and Alexandroupoli seems imminent after Greek authorities seized the belongings of their proprietor, Konstantinos Piladakis. The Anti-Cash Laundering Authority issued the order, alleging that Piladakis hid the useful possession of entities Invictus and Glafka Capital, in keeping with eKathimerini.com. This alleged misrepresentation reportedly misled credit score establishments and nonperforming mortgage managers, together with Dawn II NPL Finance.
The scenario additionally impacts the Rio on line casino close to Patra, which has been shuttered since September 2023. Its closure adopted the rejection of a proposed restructuring plan geared toward stabilizing its operations.
Allegations and Proprietor’s Protection
The allegations have drawn sharp responses from Piladakis, who denies any wrongdoing. Talking in regards to the scenario, Piladakis said, “I’ve been knowledgeable by publications that I’m below scrutiny and that my belongings have been frozen as a part of an audit by a reliable authority. Nobody has referred to as me to clarify what’s unfoundedly reported within the publications.”
Piladakis emphasised his intent to defend himself by means of authorized means, asserting that he has endured in depth audits over time, which haven’t revealed any authorized infractions. “Each I and firms of my curiosity have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits… It has been amply demonstrated that there was not a shadow of illegality,” he remarked, in keeping with G3 Newswire.
Monetary Struggles Amid Financial Challenges
Piladakis elaborated on the monetary difficulties confronted by his companies throughout Greece’s financial disaster. In response to him, his casinos struggled to remain afloat amid declining revenues and heavy taxation, all whereas using over 400 staff. “We managed to maintain the companies alive. For greater than 14 years, no less than 210 overworked staff labored within the corporations,” he defined.
To stop layoffs, Piladakis disclosed that he mortgaged or bought private properties to help his enterprises. He added that delays in VAT refunds by the Greek State exacerbated the monetary pressure on his companies, regardless of court docket rulings in his favor.
Rejecting Accusations
Dismissing allegations of cash laundering and tax evasion, Piladakis said, “I don’t settle for accusations of alleged cash laundering or tax evasion being circulated in all information channels and media. The whole lot was and is completed legally.” Whereas acknowledging the need of state audits, he maintained that his actions adhered to the legislation all through his decades-long profession.
The way forward for the Corfu and Alexandroupoli casinos stays unsure, with their destiny carefully tied to the continuing authorized and monetary challenges surrounding Piladakis.
