The former director of the Pattiheio Municipal Theater is under 7-day detention

The lawyer of the 61-year-old former director of the Pattiheio Municipal Theater of Limassol, who was arrested yesterday for a case of misuse of 234.550 euros from the theater's funds, did not object to his detention for a period of seven days.

He allegedly denies involvement in the offenses of theft by a company official and money laundering, for the specific deficit from the company's books, which was found after an audit by an independent auditing firm.

Specifically, as reported in court, the 61-year-old allegedly had complete control of the theater's receipts, while in April 2021 the technical director expressed some concerns to the Chairman of the Board and Mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nikolaidis.

The next day the suspect admitted that he withheld an amount of 10.700 euros, citing financial difficulties and personal statements and assured that he would return the money, while in May 2021 he submitted his resignation, which was accepted.

The 61-year-old returned a sum of 3.000 euros, stating that he would return the remaining amount at a later stage, while an audit of the company's accounting books was in progress.

With the completion of the audit, a deficit of 234.550 euros was finally identified, which concerned receipts for the entertainment tax but also money that had to be paid to producers of performances.

Among other things, it was reported that the suspect allegedly took money from the receipts at the box office of the theater, when they were in operation, without any control.

The examinations are continuing, three testimonies have already been taken and another 105 are expected to be taken, which concern employees at the Pattiheio Municipal Theater in Limassol, collaborators and producers as well as the family and friendly environment of the suspect.

His lawyer did not object to his detention for a period of seven days.

Source: KYPE