By Achilleas Kouremenos

Copyright thenationalherald

ATHENS – Greek politicians released their wealth declarations that showed most party leaders very well off and an Independent lawmaker, Pavlos Sarakis, originally elected with the Hellenic Solution party, reporting €18.4 million ($21.57 million) for his work as a lawyer in the notorious Novartis case.

Alleged whistleblowers claimed prominent politicians who were rivals of the then ruling Radical Left SYRIZA took bribes from the Swiss pharmaceutical company, based on hearsay.

The year before, he reported income of €179,000 ($209,840) and his Novartis work came from more than €30 million paid by U.S. authorities to lawyers and witnesses. Two former protected witnesses were convicted of false testimony and defamation against public officials.

The declarations are designed to let the public know the sources and amounts of their income to bring transparency, including holdings in assets, real estate, vehicles, loans and investments.

Greek-American Stefanos Kasselakis, the former head of SYRIZA and now of his own party, Movement for Democracy showed an income of $1.75 million along with $3.77 million in shares, real estate holdings in Greece and the United States, and two active business interests. He also reported debts exceeding $1.65 million.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reported an income of €70,456, 26 property entries across Crete, Ioannina, and the Cyclades, two vehicles, one business participation, and loans totaling €160,560 and bank deposits of €110,668.

His wife, Mareva Grabowski, declared €315,194 from dividends, property, and other sources along with nearly €780,000 in deposits, several properties in Greece and the UK, participation in a business, and loans exceeding €978,000.

Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK, declared deposits exceeding €1 million, income of €128,000, and 16 property entries, mainly in Crete and Athens but said he didn’t have any outstanding loans.

SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos listed income of around €72,500 and deposits under €60,000. Dimitris Koutsoumbas of the Communist Party declared just over €10,000 in deposits and two small apartments.

Kyriakos Velopoulos, leader of the Eurosceptic party Ellinikin Lysi (Greek Solution), declared around €269,000 in deposits and four properties. Zoe Konstantopoulou of Course of Freedom declared income above €100,000 but just over €4,000 in deposits. Dimitris Natsios, leader of Niki, reported income of only €22,600 and deposits of less than €2,000.