Marking Time in the Mask Scandal: Andrea Tandler Faces Over Four Years in Prison
Andrea Tandler, daughter of the former CSU General Secretary and Bavarian Finance, Economics, and Interior Minister Gerold Tandler, is facing more than four years in prison due to a tax trial linked to the coronavirus mask affair in Bavaria. Her co-defendant business partner, N., has been sentenced to at least three and a half years in prison based on a plea bargain agreed upon by all parties involved in the proceedings.
In March 2020, during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, Tandler facilitated agreements between various federal and state authorities and a Swiss mask supplier. The result was commission payments totaling nearly 50 million euros. While the commission itself was legal, the public prosecutor's office in Munich accused both Tandler and her partner of tax evasion on these commissions.
Tandler allegedly evaded paying taxes on those commissions through a company instead of as an individual, leading to lower overall tax contributions. Additionally, N. was accused of receiving half of the shares in the newly formed GmbH without making any prior contributions—the basis for charges of gift tax evasion.
The trade tax evasion allegations arose from the fact that earnings from the mask business were not taxed in Munich, but in Grünwald, resulting in lower tax payments. According to the indictment, Munich was deemed the "place of management," though the majority of the trade tax should have been paid in the city. The total economic loss, the indictment stated, was 15.2 million euros.
Following the consent of the public prosecutor's office, the proceedings regarding gift tax evasion and coronavirus subsidy fraud were dropped directly on Tuesday during the tax trial process in Munich. However, Tandler and her partner largely admitted guilt through their defense lawyers, focusing on the tax evasion charges.
In striking a plea bargain, the court and all parties involved agreed upon the sentence range for Tandler and N. The defendant’s confession is typically a prerequisite for such agreements, allowing the court to provide an estimate of the expected sentence. If both parties agree to the terms, the key points are regulated regarding tax evasion according to section 257c of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
With a plea bargain established, the Munich Regional Court is expected to deliver a verdict by Friday, possibly closing the chapter on the mask scandal for Andrea Tandler.
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While the details of Andrea Tandler's tax evasion charges are not fully disclosed in the available sources, tax evasion generally involves failing to report income, underreporting income, or otherwise defrauding authorities of taxes owed. Potential penalties can include fines, additional tax payments, and even imprisonment. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's recommended to consider recent news articles, relevant court documents, or statements from official authorities.
