A private citizen suggests sending money via IRIS bank transfer. The 43-year-old contract employee at the Katerini Urban Planning Office responds that a bank transfer would carry an additional VAT charge — and the conversation ends with an agreement to meet for a cash-in-hand payment. This is one of several recorded exchanges included in the Internal Affairs investigation into the alleged flow of illicit payments.
From IRIS transfer to cash in hand
The caller explains that he doesn’t have cash on him at that moment. The key exchange goes as follows:
Private citizen: “Yes, I’m at home, I just got back — but I don’t have any cash on me right now when you called.”
Contract employee: “Ah, right. OK, no problem, whenever you have it.”
Private citizen: “Do you want to meet up a bit later, whatever works for you. You tell me. Do you want me to send it via IRIS? Whatever you want, I’m fine with it.”
Contract employee: “Well, if it goes through the bank, there’s VAT on top — but it’s up to you.”
Private citizen: “Oh right, OK. I’ll give it to you in cash then.”
Contract employee: “OK. Do you want me to come by in about half an hour?”
Private citizen: “Come on over, come on over.”
According to the police account, the mention of VAT was used as a pretext to steer payers toward cash. Investigators link this practice to the deliberate avoidance of a traceable banking trail. The specific exchange does not mention the amount involved, but it clearly captures the agreement on how and when the meeting would take place.
Two envelopes for €1,450
In a separate incident, a private engineer informs the head of the Building Authority that he will be sending him €1,450. After discussing the amount, he describes the packaging he intends to use:
Engineer: “Yes, I’ll just put them in two envelopes inside the big envelope so they don’t move around, you know what I mean.”
Director: “Fine, fine.”
Engineer: “OK? So you’ll be getting two white envelopes inside — yes, yes.”
Director: “Yes, yes, yes.”
Authorities link the money to structural engineering studies that the director allegedly carried out in breach of his official duties. It is also alleged that the payment was received with the assistance of his wife. Investigators have recorded this as a concealed unlawful benefit. This particular exchange fits into a broader pattern described by Internal Affairs, involving money passed in envelopes and notebooks, hand-offs conducted inside the office or at external locations, and deliveries made through third parties.
Money laundering listed as a perk of the job
In another conversation, the 43-year-old contract employee discusses the pros and cons of holding a position at the Building Authority with a private engineer. The following exchange captures that discussion:
Contract employee: “Look, it has its upsides and downsides. Another upside — just between us — is the laundering.”
Engineer: “Right.”
Contract employee: “Isn’t it?”
Engineer: “Laundering — what do you mean?”
Contract employee: “Well, of the… the income.”
Engineer: “Oh, right — so you’d have something to show for it.”
Contract employee: “Yeah, well, there are various things like that, you know.”
The conversation relates to the ability to present illicit income as legitimate earnings from the official position. This exchange is separate from both the IRIS transfer discussion and the €1,450 envelope delivery. All recorded conversations are being examined alongside banking and tax records as part of a months-long investigation into the alleged bribery scheme and the movement of funds. According to investigators, public employees would carry out technical work while private engineers would lend their signatures and official stamps — allowing payments to appear as legitimate professional fees.
The investigation, conducted by the Internal Affairs Directorate for Northern Greece’s Security Forces, led to 11 arrests on 2 November: four employees of the Building Authority and seven private individuals.
