Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority has seized the entire inheritance of Giorgos Tragkas, a prominent Greek journalist, small media owner, published, TV and radio producer, who died in December 2021 from Covid-complications.
In a 60-page report, the Authority came to the conclusion that the source of the assets he owned might be a product of unlawful activities, Greek media report on Friday afternoon.
Tragkas’ assets in bank deposits are estimated to double-digit million euros and to these are reportedly added up to 12 many high-end properties in Greece and abroad in Monaco, France, USA and else where.
According to the 60-page Anti-Money Laundering Authority report, that is based on a three-month investigation, the way is open for criminal prosecution. The file was forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office, to investigate the possibility of criminal offenses – of course, not against the journalist, as the death makes him “criminally uncontrollable.”
The investigation into the fortune of George Tragas began 3 months before his death, following an anonymous complaint as well as a notification by the bank to authorities.
Citing the Money Laundering report, news website ieidiseis notes that the order of the inheritance seizure has been issued because much of the properties and assets are allegedly not justified from the total declared income from the year 2000 onward and there have been money transactions by suspicious companies the Authority has located.
“Practically, after the seizure of the whole inheritance of Giorgos Tragkas, that are alleged to be the product of criminal activity, the heirs can not accept inheritance, as they will be faced with the law on money laundering to the degree of a felony,” newspapers tovima. and ethnos noted on their websites.
Investigation started in September 2021, due to an anonymous letter that described specific financial transactions and the notification by a bank regarding a specific transaction.
Investigation was reportedly downgraded after the death of Giorgos Tragkas, however, it was upgraded again when media reported of gold bars, deposits in banks and real estate worth many million euros in Greece, Europe and USA.
Much of this information came to light when his 15-page handwritten will was published by TV channels and lifestyle-magazines last March. Next to his children and last wife, he inherited cash to several charities incl the Greek Church, animal welfare societies, children organizations etc.
According to news247.gr information, the Anti-Laundering Authority has sent requests to the correspondent authorities in UK, France, USA, Virgin Islands and elsewhere requesting information for the transactions, the assets and the properties of the late journalist and controversial publisher Giorgos Tragkas, who had established small political right-wing party Free People in 2021.
