Five of the first defendants to appear before the examining magistrate in the Pizza Fun franchise tax fraud case have been released on bail, while hearings for the remaining five defendants continue. According to sources, the five defendants were each ordered to report regularly to a local police station and to post a €5,000 bail bond. The five include three accountants, a software developer, and a franchise store owner from Nea Ionia.
Pizza Fun: Chain owner Kostas Antaras to testify on Tuesday
Hearings for a total of 23 defendants began today and are set to continue tomorrow before the examining magistrate. Tomorrow, Kostas Antaras, the owner of the Pizza Fun chain, is scheduled to give his testimony. According to the case file, Antaras is alleged to have played a central role in the scheme, along with several of his close associates.
Today, ten defendants — all franchise store owners — appeared before the examining magistrate. The defendants deny the charges brought against them, with most reportedly claiming they were unaware of how the illegal software operated. They are instead placing the blame for its use on the chain’s owner and his inner circle.
Alleged tax fraud estimated to exceed €25 million
According to case documents, the alleged tax fraud is estimated to exceed €25 million. Authorities are investigating how the illegal software functioned and the methods reportedly used to conceal taxable revenue.
The defendants face felony charges including forming, joining, and directing a criminal organization, as well as tax evasion exceeding €150,000 through the non-remittance of VAT and the submission of inaccurate income tax returns. Additional charges include direct complicity in the specific tax offenses, as well as aggravated money laundering.
