Criminal charges for five felonies and one misdemeanor have been filed against Filippos Kampouris, his wife, and their co-defendants, who are accused of defrauding the Greek state out of €5 million. A former employee of the TV presenter and leader of the political party “LA.O.S.” spoke to Star television, revealing how her complaint brought the entire fraud network to light. “I am innocent, this is all a conspiracy, everything will be proven… I am innocent,” were the first words of Filippos Kampouris, presenter and leader of LA.O.S., as he was escorted from police headquarters to the courthouse. He continues to insist on his innocence despite the mounting evidence gathered by authorities.
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Filippos Kampouris: The charges facing those arrested
Filippos Kampouris, his wife, and the remaining defendants face five felony charges and one misdemeanor. These include criminal organization, fraud against the state exceeding €120,000, and money laundering. The investigating magistrate will also examine whether tax evasion offenses apply, with all defendants set to give their statements on Sunday. “I was earning €600 a month, yet he declared that I had received €19,500 — which meant I lost all my social welfare benefits that I desperately needed to support my children,” the former employee told Star television.
Who is involved in the fraud network
A total of 11 individuals have been arrested: Filippos Kampouris and his wife are alleged to be the two ringleaders. Also arrested are two prominent businessmen identified by the initials K.K. and Th.K. Four accountants, identified as V.Ch., G.S., D.T., and N.P., were also taken into custody. In addition, two men and two women appear to have served as frontmen and frontwomen for a series of shell companies — identified as I.K., E.T., R.G., and D.S. One foreign national, identified as D.S., has so far evaded arrest.
Kampouris’s “straw man” was a regular guest on his shows for years
Among those arrested is I.K., who is alleged to have acted as a frontman, appearing as the managing director of 22 companies. Star television reveals that his relationship with Filippos Kampouris dates back to 2008, when he became a frequent and prominent guest on the presenter’s shows, often given a leading role on air.