The Australian Tax Office gave a tax penalty of 20 million dollars to Greek Australian Nick Petroulias.
Petroulias was in jail for two years after being found guilty of using his position in the tax office to secure private tax rulings for companies in which he had a financial interest. Petroulias was released in June. He had spent at least $13 million on his legal defense.
“The ATO is determined to turn me into a social leper. Anyone who helps me or is in any way associated with me will be attacked,” he said.
In the beginning, the Petroulias case was presented as the biggest case of deception against the Australian state.
After four trials the authorities could not condemn him. The most serious accusations were withdrawn. In the last 2007 trail he was condemned to prison for 38 months. Judge Peter Johnson said that Petroulias’ behavior was illegal and deceitful. “I’m convinced that actions like these are the worst of the kind”.
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