A top politician’s daughter who won huge contracts to supply face masks during the COVID crisis has gone on trial accused of dodging EUR 23 million in taxes.
Andrea Tandler, whose dad was the Christian Social Union in Bavaria party boss, and her partner Darius N., are charged with tax evasion and fraud.
The pair, say prosecutors in Munich, brokered massive deals between a Swiss firm and Bavarian and federal German officials to supply pandemic face masks.
But Tandler, the court will hear today (4th October), allegedly failed to pay EUR 23.5 million (GBP 20.36 million) in taxes.
Her partner is accused of aiding and abetting her in the scam.
Andrea Tandler is said to have maintained close contacts with leading Bavarian politicians who were close to her father.
She is said to have swung the massive PPE contracts in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
And although those contracts were legal, say prosecutors, she failed to pay taxes on the huge profits.
The couple are said to have failed to pay EUR 8.7 million (GBP 7.54 million) in income tax and EUR 6.6 million (GBP 5.72 million) in gift tax.
They are also accused of dodging EUR 8.2 million (GBP 7.1 million) in trade tax.
Local media reported that the pair, who were arrested in January, deny all the charges against them.
The pair had appealed being held in custody but their complaints were rejected by the Munich Higher Regional Court as baseless.
Eight hearing dates have been scheduled between now and 17th November, with the couple facing lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
A third suspect is to be tried separately.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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