In a shocking revelation, a large-scale criminal operation has been uncovered within the Municipality of Athens. Authorities have dismantled a ring of municipal employees who, in collusion with private individuals, were systematically extorting and taking bribes from local businesses.
The three-month investigation by the Internal Affairs Service of the Security Corps led to the arrest of 14 individuals last Friday, July 5th. The group, comprising seven men and seven women, is accused of a host of offenses including running a criminal organization, bribery, forgery, breach of official duty, and more.
Among the arrested are employees from various municipal departments, including the Municipal Police, Building Department, Monuments Department, and Sanitation Department. Two private citizens were also identified as the "masterminds" behind the operation.
The scheme operated as follows: The ringleaders would approach business owners, primarily in the Athens area, and offer them "protection" to prevent inspections and the confirmation of violations by the corrupt municipal employees. These public officials would then target the shops for inspections, threatening to fine them unless they paid for the group's "services."
Businesses, knowing the power of the criminal network, would often voluntarily seek out the group's assistance to avoid inspections or resolve other municipal issues. The employees would then accept bribes to overlook violations, falsify documents, and even skip inspections altogether.
The amounts extorted from the business owners were substantial, ranging from 1,000 euros to 35,000 euros per case, depending on the type of business and the severity of past violations. These funds were then distributed among the members of the organization, with the municipal employees receiving thousands of euros for their roles.
To evade detection, the group utilized encrypted communications, conducted meetings in secluded locations, and instructed businesses to allow minor violations to be observed during inspections to maintain the appearance of legitimacy.
"This was a well-organized criminal enterprise that exploited the very system meant to serve the public," said the head of the Internal Affairs Service. "The brazenness and scale of this corruption is truly shocking and will not be tolerated."
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities suspect that more municipal employees may have been involved in the scheme. The 14 arrested individuals face severe penalties for their roles in this massive abuse of power.