Saturday 13 March 2010

In The Dock: Five Accused Of £219m Inland Revenue Fraud


Two senior executives of stock-market accountancy firm Vantis, their wives and a financial advisor – all accused of a £219 million charitable tax scam – have appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Hundreds of investors are said to have participated in the Vantis tax scheme, including an Oscar-winning movie executive, celebrity psychiatrist, senior City bankers, top lawyers and company directors.

Robert Faichney, 51, managing director of Vantis’ tax division and his wife Shirley Faichney, 51, both of Barnhill, Pinner Middlesex, were bailed along with their co-defendants to return on May 21.

They appeared alongside David Perrin, 44, the tax division’s deputy managing director and his wife Nicola Perrin, 37, both of Leagrave, Luton, and financial advisor Vikash Kulkar, 55, of Waldegrave Road, Twickenham.

All five are with one count of cheating her Majesty and the Public Revenue in a prosecution brought by HM Revenue and Customs.

The two executives are accused of devising and promoting a tax scheme that took advantage of the legislation providing tax relief on the donations of shares to charities.

Their wives are accused of involvement in their husband’s dealings and Kulkar is alleged to have attracted investors to the scheme.

The investigation relates to 328 million shares listed on the Channel Island Stock Exchange sold to investors at a value of £1 with subsequent tax relief claimed.

No pleas were entered and a trial date at the court (pictured) was set for February 21, next year.

No comments: