London - Caroline Kent
Italian luxury house Bulgari was established in 1884
Rome-based haute house Bulgari has kicked off 2013 in scandalous style.
he Italian luxury brand, established in 1884, has been accused of tax evasion to the tune of £57 million
Women\'s Wear Daily reported that Italian tax authorities are investigating Bulgari\'s behaviour over the past few years,taking a particular interest in 2011,
when the company was acquired in a cash-and-share swap valued at £3.6 billion by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
The accusation is that Bulgari filtered funds through holding companies in Ireland and Luxembourg instead of seeing their money taxed in Italy.
Dolce & Gabbana defended themselves in early December against accusations that they owe €400 million in taxes, having evaded the fees by setting up a Luxembourg holdings company. Italian tax authorities investigated them in 2007, dismissed the case in 2011, then reopened investigations in 2012.
Bulgari has denied any wrong-doing. \"We have always complied with fiscal regulations in Italy and abroad,\" LVMH watches and jewellery division president Francesco Trapani declared.
The accusation is that Bulgari filtered funds through holding companies in Ireland and Luxembourg instead of seeing their money taxed in Italy.
Dolce & Gabbana defended themselves in early December against accusations that they owe €400 million in taxes, having evaded the fees by setting up a Luxembourg holdings company. Italian tax authorities investigated them in 2007, dismissed the case in 2011, then reopened investigations in 2012.
Bulgari has denied any wrong-doing. \"We have always complied with fiscal regulations in Italy and abroad,\" LVMH watches and jewellery division president Francesco Trapani declared.