Preliminary investigation: «There was no deal for TV licence» says CCC accountant

Brake on the downhill slide Pre-Investigation can't put the NW, with the accounting manager of the CCC, Antonis Lianos, to put his own stamp on the deconstruction of the «Wellington» at the time of its submission to the Commission. The partner of the Lebanese big businessmen made it clear that CCC has nothing to do with the Kalogritsa TV project, claiming that the €3 million was part of the CCC - Archer deal for the construction of the Al Zahia Center Mall in the UAE. He stressed that he knew nothing about the White House and the allegations of a meeting at the Maximus building, urging the representatives of the majority to invite the Fuad Huri to receive the relevant answers.

According to opposition sources, Mr Lianos explained that the EUR 3 million were given in the context of a subcontracting by Toxotis for a construction project in the UAE, which was to cost EUR 50 million and the two parties were to share half of the financial burden of the investment. As regards the rush to release the amount, it stated that «there are too many times when we run to disburse money. For a company (CCC) with a turnover of €5 billion and 120 projects in 40 countries around the world, I was no stranger to running to send the money.».

He clarified that there was no agreement concerning the tender procedure for the TV licences, objecting to the members of the Southwest that they could not control the way Christos Kalogritsa would manage the 3 million euros. «When you give a deposit you don't know what the contractor will do with the money» he reportedly said and added: «Gifts are not refundable. Loans are repaid». In this regard, he pointed out that he participated in meetings on the return of the EUR 3 million to CCC.

«I didn't hear anything about the... White House»

The witness stated that he knows nothing about the White House and the allegations of a meeting at the Maximus building, suggesting that the Southwestern party should invite Fouad Houry to the Commission. According to SYRIZA sources, when the chairman of the Pre-Investigation Committee, St. Keletsi, asked if there was an agreement between Houri and Kalogritsa to create a channel, Lianos replied, «No». In fact, he asked. how is it possible that CCC sought to participate in the Kalogritsa television project and did not know the business plan for the television station from the outset?. He also noted that the transfer of €3 million was «within international practices», and claimed that the Commission's first witness and mediator between Houry and Kalogritsa, Kyriakos Tombras, served the interests of the owner of Sagittarius.

«Who's lying after all? The Kalogritsa side or the CCC?» asked the rapporteur of SYRIZA, Theodora Tzakri, with the witness replying that «I cannot answer you if the government is lying». «I, myself, participated in two meetings with the representatives of Archery to discuss the promotion of construction projects in Greece and abroad. Our only concern was the return of the money we gave to Chr. Kalogritsa», he added.

Sources from the Southwest arriving from... a spur of the moment

According to sources from the Southwest that reach documentonews.gr by... spur of the moment, the witness said that when the CCC - Kalogritsa contract was made, the Lebanese construction company had not taken the project to the UAE.According to the sources, Mr.Keletsi asked Antonis Lianos in relation to the contract of the two parties and he replied, «In these projects there are details that are given during the project». «CCC had worked with Archer on other projects? Did it have the solvency for such projects?» the chairman of the committee returned, with the witness saying: «Me, I am mainly involved in overseas. But I saw how Archer was doing the PPP and but (projects).» Then, the other ND MP insisted, asking again whether Toxotis had international experience. «I don't know. I had heard about some projects in the Balkans. But I'm not sure,» was the witness's answer.

«The myth is falling apart»

Parliamentary sources of SYRIZA speak of a complete collapse of the Kalogritsa - ND myth and wish the Kalogritsa family a good weekend, recommending caution for any contact with active cases.

Sources of the official opposition point out in detail:

«Today's meeting of the preliminary investigation led to a complete collapse of the Kalogritsa-ND myth against Nikos Pappas. The witness Antonis Lianos, financial advisor of CCC, completely demolished the claims of the contractor and the government about the agreement to create a TV station friendly to the SYRIZA government.

In response to a question by the rapporteur of SYRIZA, Theodora Tzakri, the witness was categorically negative, insisting, from the very beginning of his testimony, that the agreement between the two parties, CCC and Kalogritsa, concerned the construction of a shopping centre in the United Arab Emirates. In response to a question from T. Bartzokas (ND), he stressed that «if there was another agreement, other than this one, then I would know it», adding: «CCC has no investment in the media sector.».

It is also characteristic of the witness's statement that in two meetings with the representatives of Archer for construction projects, in which he participated, «our only concern was the return of the 3 million we gave to Kalogritsa for the project in the Emirates».

The witness, in response to ND, also appeared categorical that he was not aware of any meeting in Maximos and pointed out that he had not heard anything from those involved about «White House». Responding to a question from ND MP Tasos Bartzokas on what the «White Porscha» is, Lianos said: «It could be the white Porscha that Mr. Fouad Choury had, with an American accent. Mr. Fouad has lived for many years in America.».

Have a good weekend and may the Kalogritsa family (father and son) be careful of contacts with active cases...».

«Good luck to SYRIZA»

On the contrary, parliamentary sources of the government majority countered that the witness confirmed knowledge of the CCC compared to the direction the €3 million would have taken.

The comment of the parliamentary sources of the Southwest is as follows:

«From today's testimony of the financial director of the company CCC Mr. Antonis Lianos confirmed the company's knowledge that the 3 million euros of the alleged subcontracting of a project that did not even exist at the time, would be directed to the tender for television licenses.

In addition, Mr.Lianos claimed that Mr.Kalogritsa fully informed about the course of the tender and the channel under establishment, informing him by e-mail that the letter of guarantee of the Bank of Attica was accepted and sent him the Business Plan of the channel under establishment.

He insisted on the claims of the CCC company but stated categorically that he was unaware of the company's individual meetings with Mr Kalogritsa and the Government.

He acknowledged that he has internal e-mails concerning the procedure of TV licences at his disposal and pledged to submit them to the Commission».

Just as Mr.Lianos wished Mr.Kalogritsa “Good Luck” by email, we wish «Good Luck» to SYRIZA».

«Good night and good luck»

The official opposition responded to the comment of the Southwest, noting: «We should wish ¨good night and good luck¨ to New Democracy, whose MPs at today's meeting of the Pre-Investigation Committee did not hide their irritation at the witness's words.

They even attacked him verbally, while constantly interrupting him, which forced the chairman of the Commission, Mr.Keletsi, to bring them back to order. I wonder why such concern.