Multi-million euro cork fraud tried

This week the Santa Maria da Feira judicial tribunal will begin hearing 98 of almost 260 suspects accused of being involved in a tax fraud scheme within the cork industry and who are believed to have swindled the State of €48 million by issuing fake invoices.

Due to the high number of suspects involved in the trial, the court proceedings will take place in a Sport Pavilion belonging to the Ovar voluntary fire-brigade.

Three court dates have been scheduled to try all of the 260 suspects, the first of which will take place this week. A second trial will be held for another 90 suspects, followed by a third court session in which 60 suspects will be heard.

The trials are the outcome of an investigation launched by the PJ police in 2004.

As part of the process the court will determine the authenticity of IVA and IRC tax claims made by the various individuals and companies involved in the trial.

The majority stand accused of tax fraud.

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