In the realm of Germany's mask scarcity during the pandemic, Andrea Tandler, daughter of a renowned ex-CSU politician, had her moment. Utilizing her father's connections, she facilitated the delivery of scarce masks to the federal government and several states. However, she neglected to pay the correct taxes on the substantial profits generated. The Munich court has now handed her a sentence of four years and five months in prison for tax evasion, in a scandal dubbed the "coronavirus mask scandal".
Her business partner was also sentenced, receiving three years and nine months for their role in the tax evasion scheme. The sentencing followed a plea bargain, with the public prosecutor pushing for a harsher sentence but the defense requesting a more lenient one. Tandler, a seasoned businesswoman, is the offspring of Gerold Tandler, a former CSU General Secretary and Bavarian Finance, Economics, and Interior Minister.
At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Tandler secured contracts with various federal and state authorities on behalf of a Swiss mask supplier. By doing so, she earned commissions worth nearly 50 million euros. Despite the legality of the commissions themselves, both individuals were convicted for failing to pay their due taxes on these commissions, making them liable for prosecution. The public prosecutor eventually estimated the total economic loss to be around 7.8 million euros.
During the trial, both defendants largely admitted to the tax evasion charges, specifically those related to income and trade tax evasion. Tandler and her partner did not pay the taxes owed in Munich, where the place of management was located. Instead, they paid their taxes in Grünwald, where a lower trade tax rate applies.
Thanks to the timely acknowledgment and concession of guilt, the court discontinued proceedings regarding gift tax evasion and coronavirus subsidy fraud.
Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Andrea Tandler and her business partner will serve their prison sentences while wearing FFP2 masks, in line with safety protocols. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has taken notice of the case, emphasizing the global dimensions of tax evasion, regardless of political connections.
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Enrichment Insights: The enrichment data does not provide any additional information about the case involving Andrea Tandler in Germany's coronavirus mask scandal. However, it does show a broader context of the pandemic, the government's response, and the legal challenges faced. It also highlights the significant economic impact of the pandemic and the measures taken to combat it.
