Italian police seize property worth 450 million euros in tax evasion case
AFP
RomeUpdated: Jul 27, 2016, 06:00 PM IST
According to investigators, Balini also had close ties with two mafia clans operating on the coast near Rome. Photograph:(Getty)
Follow UsItalian police said on Wednesday they had seized property and goods worth 450 million euros ($495 million) belonging to a businessman suspected of tax evasion.
Mauro Balini, 51, is accused of having dodged the taxman by using members of his family or other frontmen to hide goods worth much more than his declared revenue.
According to investigators, Balini also had close ties with two mafia clans operating on the coast near Rome and he has faced Italian justice before, accused a year ago of fraudulent bankruptcy and money laundering.
The current inquiry has established that Balini rented "for a ridiculous price" a bar in the tourist port of Ostia - the harbour city of ancient Rome - to "a notorious drug trafficker", who also provided security services for the businessman, the police statement said.
Among the items seized by police were 513 pieces of furniture, shares in 14 companies including two foreign ones, 11 cars and motorbikes and a boat.
(Reuters)
Mauro Balini, 51, is accused of having dodged the taxman by using members of his family or other frontmen to hide goods worth much more than his declared revenue.
According to investigators, Balini also had close ties with two mafia clans operating on the coast near Rome and he has faced Italian justice before, accused a year ago of fraudulent bankruptcy and money laundering.
The current inquiry has established that Balini rented "for a ridiculous price" a bar in the tourist port of Ostia - the harbour city of ancient Rome - to "a notorious drug trafficker", who also provided security services for the businessman, the police statement said.
Among the items seized by police were 513 pieces of furniture, shares in 14 companies including two foreign ones, 11 cars and motorbikes and a boat.
(Reuters)