Prosecutors demand prison time for entrepreneur Gillis

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has demanded an eighteen-month prison sentence, with six months suspended, for recreation entrepreneur Peter Gillis, citing tax fraud among other charges. It is also requested that he be banned from conducting business for two years.

“To this day, there’s chaos at Oostappen Groep despite warnings since the early 2000s,” stated the prosecutor regarding Gillis’ company. The 62-year-old is suspected of committing tax fraud for several years, maintaining false records, failing to provide documents to the tax authorities, and not filing tax returns on time.

The prosecution estimates at least 500,000 euros in taxes were evaded, with fraudulent activities occurring at the headquarters and eight holiday parks of the Oostappen Groep. His daughter and ex-wife are also being prosecuted.

Evidence from emails and staff conversations indicate illegal rentals at Gillis’ parks, with payments made in cash to keep income off the books. “Peter, his daughter, and ex-wife did everything to conceal this ‘black rental’ by destroying documents and manipulating the reservation system,” stated the prosecutor.

Additionally, foreign workers’ hours were not recorded, and they were paid off the books. “They worked more hours than officially recorded, creating a paper reality that didn’t match the actual situation,” said the prosecutor.

The OM demands a 240-hour community service for his daughter Inge, according to Omroep Brabant, with a potential two-year prison sentence if reoffending occurs. Each holiday park faces a 5,000 euro fine per year of incomplete records, totaling 200,000 euros, and the Oostappen Groep is looking at a 365,000 euro penalty.

Source: NOS

Share