Another accusation regarding the scandalous fraudulent VAT scheme

Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia launched criminal prosecution against Laura Ghachava for creation of counterfeit assets in VAT and defrauding the Georgian state of some 2 million Laris. As stated at a press conference, the case is directly related to a scandalous scheme involving the creation and use of counterfeit value-added tax on the prosecution of 54 persons, of whom 38 are currently detained:

“We would like to inform the public that for falsifying tax documents, creating fake assets in value-added tax and thus damaging Georgia of GEL 2,160,155, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 1 more individual - Laura Ghachava. We also want to remind you that the prosecution of 54 persons for the creation and use of a false VAT asset had already been initiated, of which 38 are currently in custody. Appropriate measures are being taken to identify and prosecute other perpetrators of the crime.” Deputy Chief of the Investigation Department Vazha Panozishvili stated at the briefing.

Laura Gachava denies these allegations and denies any connection with the case: “I know nothing... I can't tell you anything; I'm clean. I have nothing to do with the big scheme,” Gachava told journalists.

According to the investigation, the defendant seeking illegal material gain, together with others, forged agreements on behalf of the company by the VAT, income and social tax declarations for specification and non-existent manipulating way, her company has created several fake assets in VAT, with which the companies would cover the tax liabilities and the oil import customs duties.

The businesswoman claims that while being the Minister of Finance Mamuka Bakhtadze personally sent her a letter about the assets which are now the basis of the prosecution:

“The current Prime Minister, Mamuka Bakhtadze, personally sent an official reply from the Ministry of Finance on the assets that are now the basis of my charge, stating that the assets are old and can be used. Besides, I have a report from the financier of the Revenue Service, which explains that everything is in order,” Gachava said. Meanwhile, he denies the existence of political motives behind her charges: “I have no reason to say that summoning is for political reasons. I have to figure everything out, get to know the case materials and only then will I be able to state my opinion about the charges.”

The scandalous criminal scheme came to be called early in August. The Investigation Service announced that it has exposed a large-scale crime scheme of creating counterfeit assets in value-added taxes. 53 suspects were prosecuted under nine articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia, of which 38 are in custody. Most of them are founders, directors or managers of various companies.