Tax Saabotage: Three Former Saab Execs Arrested, Victor Muller's Offices Searched
During better times:Kristina Geers and Victor Muller
Key members of the board of bankrupt carmaker Saab were arrested yesterday on suspicions of tax evasion. Former Saab General Counsel Kristina Geers, former CFO Karl-Gustav Lindstrom, and former CEO Jan Åke Jonsson spent the night in jail. After a serious grilling, the three were released today. At the same time, the offices of Spyker in Zeewolde, Netherlands, were searched by police at the request of Swedish authorities, Z24.NL reports.
According to Saab fanzine Saabsunited, the trio was booked on suspicions “of trying to seriously make accounting too complicated and difficult for the tax-authorities.” That alone does not justify an arrest. Later, it was reported that the matter was about paying people as independent consultants instead as employees. This is a popular strategy to minimize tax and social security payments in many countries. It usually starts a long discussion with the auditors, but no mass arrests, and no internationally coordinated raids. Someone seems to be fishing for more than confusing book entries.
Saab declared bankruptcy in late 2011. Their 2010 and 2011 books were audited, a normal procedure in most European countries after a company goes bust. During the bankruptcy, many suppliers were stiffed, however, the biggest loser was the Swedish government. It had guaranteed a $500 million loan by the European Investment Bank.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Such a shame. Victor Mueller really understood Saab, I think. Remember when he ran a vintage rally car, identical to the one that made Saab a champion in the early 60s.
According to Di's sources, Saab has postponed their tax payments over several years and the suspicion is that the auditors at Ernst & Young developed a system for this to keep the wounded automaker alive. State's tax claim amounts to several hundred millions.
Meanwhile in hiphop news.... producer Harry Fraud and the rapper Action Bronson, are about to release a collaborative album called "Saab Stories". http://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/action-bronson-and-harry-fraud-to-release-saab-stories-lp-this-summer
Victor Muller now main suspect