Tax fraud

Suspended sentence for florist

Symbolic image

(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

The boss of a florist's store deceived the tax office for nine years. After confessing in the regional court, she received 20 months' conditional imprisonment, not legally binding.

The defendant was remorseful and confessed at her criminal trial on Thursday in Salzburg Provincial Court: as the former owner of a floristry business, the Salzburg woman had deceived the tax office for years. The public prosecutor accused her of tax fraud and tax evasion: According to the prosecutor, she had withheld around 780,000 euros from the tax authorities. She had opened the business in 2013 and had already started to deceive the tax authorities from 2014 onwards - using bogus invoices, among other things. According to the indictment, she did not submit any tax returns for two years.

Woman must make amends for damage

According to the defense lawyer, the ex-boss was overwhelmed - in order to save her business, she faked the invoices. During a house search, the anti-fraud office was also able to seize numerous bogus invoices. Since the case was uncovered, the woman, who is now employed, has been paying back the damages on a monthly basis. Following her confession and in accordance with the indictment, the court found her guilty and sentenced her to 20 months' probation. The verdict is not final.