5 November 2006

The merits of the Guardia di Finanza

Just recently the Guardia di Finanza {Finance Police} have been under constant attack from the media in relation to the case of the so-called 'spionaggio fiscale' {tax-espionage}. Yet in fact, it seems that it relates to this body only marginally as only 10 out of the 128 people under investigation are in the finance police and they are, as it happens, at low levels.
I would like to point out the work done by the Guardia di Finanza. Last year they discovered undeclared taxable income to the value of 19,400,000,000 Euro and unpaid VAT equal to 4,700,000,000 Euro. As regards work on the black economy, they discovered 30,000 unregulated workers. Furthermore, they discovered fraud in public accounts amounting to 428,000,000 in European Union funds and 260,000,000 at the level of the State, the regions and local authorities.
This is just a part of their activities. They also fight against money laundering, usury, counterfeit goods, drug trafficking and above all operations like the Parmalat swindle, and takeover bids by property companies.
The Guardia di Finanza carries out tasks that are of extreme importance and delicacy in the fight against tax dodging and that must be a constant priority for this Government.
The Guardia di Finanza is an uncomfortable reality for many who consider tax dodging not to be immoral.
Tax dodging is stealing from society. Those who practice it are thieves who oblige other citizens to pay taxes for them as well and yet they make use of the social services. The Guardia di Finanza should be strengthened and protected from attacks based on false premises.

Posted by Antonio Di Pietro in Justice