Greek authorities have frozen the assets of General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) President Giannis Panagopoulos and expanded a major investigation into the alleged embezzlement of €73 million ($79 million) in state and European Union funds.
The move, ordered by Anti-Money Laundering Authority Chairman Charalambos Vourliotis, follows a 65-page report identifying "strong indications" of money laundering and fraud linked to vocational training programs run by the union’s affiliates between 2020 and 2025.
Prosecutors are probing whether contracts for subsidized training were steered to specific companies—some allegedly lacking basic infrastructure or staff—through opaque tender processes.
The investigation has flagged suspicious cash withdrawals exceeding €1.5 million and the use of "vehicle" companies to circulate illicit funds.
The freeze order extends to bank accounts and properties held by Mr. Panagopoulos, five other individuals, and six associated companies.
"I am at the disposal of justice," Mr. Panagopoulos stated in a response Monday, denying the allegations and attributing the probe to political adversaries aiming to undermine the labor movement.
Parallel inquiries are now examining the assets of the suspects’ relatives to trace potential money trails. The case has heightened political tensions, with opposition figures accusing the government of leaking details to distract from broader economic grievances, while officials insist the independent authority is acting solely on evidence of financial malfeasance.