Court documents in a corruption investigation involving urban planning services in Greater Athens describe a network of public employees accused of more than 25 cases of bribery and breach of duty, according to findings by Greece’s Internal Affairs Service.
Investigators also allege that one defendant invested money in works of art, including sculptures and paintings, with the aim of selling them later.
The defendants served in the Kifissia planning office, the Central Athens Architectural Council, building services in Maroussi and planning-related councils.
Investigators say the suspects took precautions in their communications, arranging meetings in cars and parking lots. A private engineer was recorded describing a central defendant as handing over his phone and signaling, “Look, don’t talk because they’re listening to us.”
According to the file, the network sought payments in exchange for preliminary permit approvals, irregular building permits and the shelving of complaints concerning demolition projects in Petralona and Attica’s northern suburbs. Prosecutors also allege requests for money in return for favorable opinions on unauthorized construction and for lifting work stoppages on properties in Attica and, in one case, Mykonos.
