Vgenopoulos gives deposition in Greece  

Greek financier and former Laiki Bank strongman Andreas Vgenopoulos gave a deposition to Greek authorities with regard to his involvement in allegedly misleading statements issued by now-defunct Laiki Bank in 2009 and 2010, it emerged on Tuesday.

Vgenopoulos, considered by many one of the key players in the banking drama that climaxed in March 2013, when Laiki Bank – Cyprus’ second-largest lender – collapsed and uninsured deposits at the island’s two largest banks were seized, has denied allegations of any wrongdoing and shunned any responsibility.

The Cypriot state has asked Greek authorities for legal aid with regard to Vgenopoulos’ questioning.

In any case, he argued, the allegations against him are the jurisdiction of Greek authorities, so appeals by the Cypriot Legal Service to indict him for questioning are unfounded.

Following months of legal wrangling, Vgenopoulos showed up at the state attorney’s office on Tuesday morning, where he gave a written deposition on the allegations of bulletins issued by Laiki in 2009 and 2010, which purportedly misled the investing public.

Exiting the state attorney’s office, the Greek businessman said there is already a ruling by Greek justice clearing him of all charges, constituting precedent on a European level, and that it was all “much ado about nothing”.

“In contrast with what has been reported by some in the press, I was asked to give a statement, not for any serious case, but with regard to the content of Laiki Bank bulletins from 2009 and 2010,” he told the gathered reporters.

“We have asked that cases where Greek justice has jurisdiction are tried here. It seems strange to me that Cyprus wants to follow its own proceedings, but incidentally, I was informed that the case has been archived in Greece.”