Tax clerk to return embezzled cash

A 52-year-old employee at a tax office in Kypseli, near central Athens, who is alleged to have embezzled more than 2 million euros from his place of work told an investigating magistrate on Monday that he was prepared to return the house, sports utility vehicle and island holiday home that he purchased with his illicit proceeds, sources said.

In his testimony, Nikos Andriopoulos allegedly admitted to siphoning off money from the tax office before disappearing and pledged to return all his purchases as well as some 165,000 euros that is currently in several bank accounts in Greece.

According to sources, the 52-year-old was unable to determine exactly how much he had embezzled. ?I?ve been doing this job for three years and cannot calculate exactly how much,? he was quoted as saying.

According to officials of the Finance Ministry?s serious crimes unit (SDOE), the total amount embezzled by Andriopoulos is closer to 2 million euros.

The 52-year-old faces multiple charges of making a false statement, embezzlement and money laundering