THE DIRECTOR of the Košice 4th District Tax Office, Ivo P., has been accused of tax fraud. He also faces several additional charges.
Ivo P. and his wife Anna were arrested on February 20, Sme daily reported.
The couple and four other accused persons allegedly cheated the state of almost €1 million in fake VAT refunds, though the final figure is still to be confirmed, Sme wrote.
In 2007, the accused persons allegedly created a network of companies whose principal agents were so-called ‘white horses’, for instance, homeless persons or people suffering from cancer, according to Sme. The companies then carried out fictitious trades with each other, upon which they then claimed refunds of VAT tax payments. In this way, they deprived the state of more than €938,000 in VAT, Sme wrote.
The special investigations department of the state Tax Directorate carried out an investigation of the office of the accused, in cooperation with the police, during the second half of 2008.
If found guilty Ivo P. and his co-accused could face jail sentences of between four and 12 years, Sme wrote.
