The Mossack Fonseca documents include the names of nearly 20 high-profile soccer players, past and present, representing some of the globe’s best-known professional football clubs, including Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid. Among the names: Lionel Messi. The Barcelona star, a five-time world player of the year, is already under indictment in Spain on charges that he and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, used offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay to stiff the government out of millions of dollars in taxes. The leaked documents show that Messi and his father owned yet another offshore company in Panama: Mega Star Enterprises. The first reference to the company in Mossack Fonseca’s files came on June 13, 2013 - one day after Spanish prosecutors first filed tax fraud charges against Messi and his father. An email indicated that responsibility for handling the company’s paperwork was being transferred to Mossack Fonseca from another offshore corporate agent. The first reference in the files to the Messis owning Mega Star came less than two weeks later, on June 23rd, 2013. Through his father, Messi declined to comment for this story. http://www.irishtimes.com/business/...s-become-enmeshed-in-offshore-world-1.2595555
I'll say what I've already said elsewhere... This is going to run and run. The Panama Papers are the biggest leak in the history of journalism. Here's a graphic illustration of how big the leak is (in terms of files obtained by journalists) in comparison to previous high-profile leaks. please log in to view this image See here for bloody brilliant explanation and graphics as to who/what/why: https://panamapapers.icij.org
I have been filtering through the leaked files this evening. Bizarrely one of the offshore companies is owned by a dog called Rosie. How very strange for a dog to own a business
It's funny leaked documents about tax avoidance and politicians are coming out and saying its a good thing they were leaked, whereas wikileaks documents (USA spying on citizens and other general 'defence' related issues) are vilified and there is outrage. I know the issues are very different, but principle is the same.
It puts into perspective the rubbish that govt ministers talk about when they refer to the working class poor and their fiddles to just get by. Some of the rich, and especially some of the richest, just want more and more and when they get it they want even more, and they'll do everything to make sure it happens. It's an upside down world.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-35944255 Updates. Panarama will also be talking about it tonight.
I assumed the hack was originally Western backed to get back at Putin, but looking at the fact that it has embarrassed the Chinese and British government too it is less clear. I imagine that whoever did this will be hunted for the rest of their lives. Brave and I am grateful for that.
Yes, which makes me more interested in the origins of the hackers, with the Chinese, Americans and Russians after them they will never be safe!
On Germany: The current F1 driver Nico Rosberg, Siemens executives and more did business with Mossack Fonseca.
When the buggers are in prison and their wealth re-distributed I'll celebrate! Fair point though, Beefy.
I haven't read any of the leaks specifically but have read a few summaries of it, is what has been going on actually illegal or just rich people exploiting loop holes to get out of paying tax?
