Parliamentary panel sends ousted ND lawmaker’s wealth file to prosecutor
The Greek parliament committee that monitors the origin of wealth declaration of politicians (so called “pothen esches” committee), has decided to send the file of former New Democracy lawmaker Andreas Patsis to the financial crimes prosecutor to investigate the MPs tax statements and financial dealings.
The panel will also decided to lift the MPs banking, tax and stock market privacy to thoroughly investigate his activities and send the resulting reports to the Court of Auditors to calculate any fines, if authorities establish that his wealth cannot be justified.
Patsis, an MP for Grevena, is the owner of three offshore companies based in Cyprus and his name was included in 27 contacts signed with state-run Hellenic Post (ELTA) for legal fees totalling 821,877 euros. The Greek contribution expressly forbids MPs from owning or participating in an offshore company or undertaking any projects or signing contracts with the state.
Responding to the accusations in Parliament on October 26, Patsis said that nobody had told him owning offshore companies was illegal. He also said that the ELTA contracts were signed with a foreign law firm he represents which received the bulk of the legal fees and that New Democracy was aware of his financial activities.
On October 25, New Democracy expelled him from its parliamentary group, leaving it with 156 MPs in the 300-member chamber. The party said Patsis was ousted because “his explanations regarding his professional activities were judged to be inadequate” and to be “incompatible with the holding of a seat as member of parliament and with New Democracy’s values.”
