The first victims of the war, which the Government announced against the tax evasion, proved to be "doctors of the Kolonaki district". Ministry of Finance announced the lists of names, addresses, specialty, income, law violations and fines to be paid by offenders. It turned out that six out of ten doctors among the 151 doctors checked out declare very low incomes between 300 and 30,000 euros per year.
Indictments are already drawn up to four physicians and very soon doctor’s offices might be closed, if it appears that there are serious violations of law. After the doctors auditors of the Ministry of Finance will start checking also the night clubs, the owners of real estate property and the liberal entrepreneurs. Progress is expected at any time since the ministry official stated that "the battle against tax evasion is a fight for justice and respect which we feel for the citizens."
The first of the four lists that were given for publication by the Ministry of Finance contains information for the majors and the annual profits of 151 doctors who work in the center of Athens. Most of them - six in every ten declare income between 300 and 30,000 euros per year. In the second list are listed the names, specialties and violations of the tax law of 57 doctors, and the third list reveals the names and fines imposed on 11 of their colleagues. The fourth list provides information on income and savings of 12 orthopedists without revealing their names because the research is not yet completed, who most likely are involved in the scandal with the company "De Ruy".
Revision of the tax forms of doctors began in November. Out of 151 physicians who were screened, 34 declare income which is not subject to taxation and is under 10,000 euros a year, a profit between 10,000 to 30,000 euros declare 62 doctors, between 30 000 and 100,000 euros declare 44 doctors and from 100,000 to 549,000 euros declare 11 doctors.
Out of these, tax offenses were found to carry out 57 doctors - they have not issued invoices, they have not updated their income and expenses book, they have not had a register of patients, etc. To open their accounts in order to allow tax inspectors to verify what amounts have been sent abroad, was requested for 36 doctors. If violations of the law are discovered it is expect their offices to be closed. Six doctors were fined for a total amount of 1.9 million euro and to four indictments have been drawn up. In five other cases fines have been imposed for a total of 2.44 million euros.
On its turn, the general secretary of the Athens Medical Association Georgios Elevteriou told the newspaper "Ethnos" that the Union condemns tax evasion, and all citizens should follow the laws of the State, but on the other hand the state must also fulfill its obligations. "The Greek state ows to many doctors payments for medical examinations and procedures that were performed to patients insured in the state insurance bureau in the past two years," said Mr Elevteriou.