Financial Prosecutor Christos Bardakis ordered a criminal investigation into former Member of Parliament Themis Cheimaras following media reports against him; Cheimaras had resigned from the New Democracy party, for which he had been electedin the prefecture of Fthiotida. Mr. Bardakis is requesting, as part of the preliminary investigation, that the possible commission of the crimes of embezzlement and aiding and abetting embezzlement be investigated, as well as any other offenses subject to ex officio prosecutionon the part of the former member of parliament and any other individuals involved.
According to reports, the financial prosecutor has issued an order requesting an audit of all contracts entered into by the companies listed in the asset declaration filed by the former New Democracy member of parliament, from July 17, 2019, onward. The companies in question are Themistoklis Cheimaras, Energy Network, Central Greece Energy, and Nextshop, in which the former MP is alleged to have held a stake.
Mr. Bardakis has been tasked with investigating whether the alleged contracts between government agencies and entities and companies owned by Mr. Heimara, which were allegedly entered into in violation of Article 57 of the Constitution, which prohibits, in such cases, the conclusion of contracts with the state, local authorities, or any entity within the broader public sector.
