Greek deputy minister resigns over singer husband’s millions in tax debts

Greek Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Angela Gerekou (photo) submitted her resignation Monday over her spouse’s ongoing tax debts.
Her husband, a famous local singer, is said to owe about EUR5.5 million in back taxes, fines and accumulated interest.
“The Prime Minister George Papandreou accepted her resignation,” the government spokesman said.
Sources close to Gerekou say that these debts were accumulated before she met her husband, Tolis Voskopoulos, but she wanted to spare the government any embarrassment at a time when authorities are imposing austerity measures and cracking down on tax evasion.
The socialist government has recently said that tax cheats will be given no quarter and that it intends to eliminate any hint of corruption, favoritism or ‘clientism.’
“Gerekou also informed the prime minister that she had no involvement in her husband’s prior tax matters,” the government spokesman added.