Berardo Group faces tax evasion charges over €140K fraud scheme
A tax evasion case involving the Berardo Group has led to charges against several defendants. Investigators from the DCIAP (Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action) uncovered a scheme to artificially create tax losses. The fraudulent activity cost the Portuguese state around €140,000 in 2017 alone.
The scheme was devised and executed in 2015 by the accused individuals. Their goal was to generate false tax losses within the Berardo Group. These fabricated losses were then used to offset future taxable profits, reducing the company's tax obligations.
The businessman at the centre of the case had already faced charges in 2023. That earlier case involved allegations of aggravated fraud, separate from the current tax evasion investigation. The DCIAP's probe focused on the methods used to inflate losses. By manipulating financial records, the defendants sought to lower the group's tax burden illegally. The total financial impact on the state has been quantified at approximately €140,000 for the year 2017.
The investigation highlights the use of artificial tax losses to avoid payments. Legal proceedings will determine the responsibility of those charged. The case adds to the businessman's existing legal challenges from the previous fraud allegations.
