Finance Ministry employees probed for range of offenses
Public administration inspectors have found that 55 employees at the Finance Ministry, mainly tax and customs officials, have not faced any disciplinary action despite the fact they have either been charged or convicted of offenses.
The inspection revealed that the employees in question have been linked to or found guilty of serious crimes including bribery, blackmail, smuggling, embezzlement and money laundering. Their case files have been forwarded to Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, who has asked for disciplinary action to commence and all suspects to be suspended, pending the outcome of the probes. He also asked for answers as to why these employees had not been investigated earlier.
A recently passed law means that internal disciplinary action against civil servants who have been charged by prosecutors for a crime must come within 20 days of the charge being leveled.
