Lagarde list depositor pays fine to avoid criminal charges

Kathimerini reports that an unnamed businessman, one of 2,062 individuals on the so-called Lagarde list of depositors with Swiss bank accounts on Tuesday paid a fine of 500,000 euros to avoid facing criminal charges in connection with undeclared income.

The entrepreneur, who was not identified, made the move just two days after former HSBC employee Herve Falciani testified before Greek prosecutors in connection with the long-running probe.

According to sources, the businessman is suspected to have had ties to a criminal organization that allegedly helped members of the Lagarde list evade taxes and launder money.

Prosecutors are to travel to Paris for a second time next week to interview Falciani again, Kathimerini understands.