With a statement, businessman Kostas Piladakis responds to the publication of the seizure of his assets by the Anti-Money Laundering Authority.

“No one has called me to give explanations for the baseless things mentioned in the reports. I will make a request, through my attorneys, to obtain copies and place them with the appropriate authorities. I believe that leaks in such cases do no honor to anyone,” he says characteristically and adds:

“Both myself and my companies of interest have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits from time to time and it has been amply demonstrated that there was not even a shadow of illegality. I have been in business for more than 3 decades. My companies and I have paid hundreds of millions of euros in taxes and insurance contributions to the Greek State. Until 2010 we did not owe anyone a single euro. Casino businesses found themselves in the throes of an unprecedented financial crisis. We managed to keep the businesses alive. I employed over 400 people. For more than 14 years, the companies employed at least 210 redundant workers. This and the heavy taxation, combined with the collapse of revenues, led the companies to owe large sums mainly to the insurance organizations. We made enormous efforts to meet the obligations. I personally mortgaged or even sold all my property to support businesses and avoid laying off so many people. I suffered hardships and even a loss from the Greek State which for years did not return to my company the VAT due, which we finally assigned and the State collected. Even to this day, the State owes me millions of euros, for which I have appealed to the Court and I have won in the first and second instance the appeals. This delay has caused me incalculable damage both personally and to my companies.

I do not accept accusations of alleged money laundering or tax evasion circulating in all news channels and media. Everything was done and is done legally. I understand that the coordinated State does and must do checks.

The control and research, however, do not constitute proof of what is being researched. I was, am and will always be at the disposal of the authorities for any inspection and any explanation, and I am sure that the truth will shine forth.”

The entire announcement of Kostas Piladakis

“I was informed by publications that I am under control and that my assets were seized as part of the control of a competent Authority.

No one has called me to give explanations for the baseless things mentioned in the publications. I will make a request, through my attorneys, to obtain copies and place them with the appropriate authorities. I believe that leaks in such cases do no honor to anyone.

Both myself and my companies of interest have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits from time to time and it has been amply proven that there was not even a shadow of illegality.

I have been in business for more than 3 decades. My companies and I have paid hundreds of millions of euros in taxes and insurance contributions to the Greek State. Until 2010 we did not owe anyone a single euro. Casino businesses found themselves in the throes of an unprecedented financial crisis.

We managed to keep the businesses alive. I employed over 400 people. For more than 14 years, the companies employed at least 210 redundant workers. This and the heavy taxation, combined with the collapse of revenues, led the companies to owe large sums mainly to the insurance organizations. We made enormous efforts to meet the obligations.

I personally mortgaged or even sold all my property to support businesses and avoid laying off so many people.

I suffered hardships and even a loss from the Greek State which for years did not return to my company the VAT due, which we finally assigned and the State collected. Even to this day the State owes me millions
euros, for which I have appealed to the Court and I have won in the first and second instance the appeals. This delay has caused me incalculable damage both personally and to my companies.

I do not accept accusations of alleged money laundering or tax evasion circulating in all news channels and media. Everything was done and is done legally. I understand that the coordinated State does and must do checks.

The control and research, however, do not constitute proof of what is being researched. I was, am and will always be at the disposal of the authorities for any inspection and any explanation and I am sure that the truth will shine through.

Konstantinos Piladakis”

The entrepreneur’s property is attached

It is noted that the Anti-Money Laundering Authority proceeded to seize the entire property of businessman Konstantinos Piladakis, issuing the Seizure Order no. 168/2024, dated December 12, 2024.

The main categories it deals with include:

– Fraud (Article 386 of the Criminal Code).

– Tax evasion (Article 66 §1 of Law 4174/2013).

– Money laundering from criminal activities (articles 2 and 39 of Law 4557/2018).

The Order in question provides for the freezing of all the assets of Mr. Piladakis, as well as the others involved, which include:

– Bank accounts, investment products and safe deposit boxes.

– Movable and immovable property.

– Securities, shares or other financial instruments.

The Decree states that in the event of the discovery of new assets, banks and financial institutions are obliged to inform the Authority immediately, while the sale of shares is only allowed if the product is deposited in blocked accounts.

The decision includes companies associated with Mr. Piladaki, such as:

– THEROS INTERNATIONAL GAMING INC

– GREEK CASINO KERKYRA S.A

– VIVERE ENTERTAINMENT SA

– INVICTUS USA LLC and GLAFKA GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES SPC

According to the Order, the latter two companies were allegedly used to hide assets and avoid seizures.