His intention to compensate with money from his personal property, which is frozen and amounts to approximately 4.1 million euros, was expressed today by Tzortzis Koutsolioutsos shortly before closing his plea before the Three-member Court of Criminal Appeals of Athens and handing over the baton to mother of Kaitis Koutsoliutsos.
“We created something that I started as a hobby by seducing or rather convincing my husband as well. I encouraged him – because he had the business running ahead – to leave the family business and make something of our own. And we got our wristbands to be imitated by Hermes,” said the defendant, arguing that her own role was limited to controlling the aesthetics of the Group’s stores and she had absolutely no involvement or knowledge of Folli Follie’s financial data.
“I didn’t think we would get to this position, I had blind faith in my husband”
“I look you in the eyes and I really tell you this story I learned these two years, I learned it from the courts and in China from the Alvarez report that talked about fakes and my jaw dropped” she said addressing the court that in a short time will deliver his verdict on this highly acclaimed case.
Kaiti Koutsoliutsou spoke in the best words about her son, with whom they share the same bench today, expressing her regret that he went to the point of being sent to prison. “My son is a man with a big heart and above money. It helped a lot. We were not thirsty for money. I’m sorry that we brought him to this situation,” he said.
Regarding her husband, Dimitris Koutsoliutso, she said: “I learned about it later, in court. I didn’t think we would ever get to this position. I had blind trust in him. Whenever we had difficulty, his mind found the solution to go above and beyond.”
President: You were vice president and executive member. This capacity combined with the connection you have with the first two defendants, creates a responsibility for you. You are in this position because you have a position of responsibility on the Board. Did you undertake it with your husband, in your absence? How did you become vice president?
Accused: In 2011 they put me in because in some meeting they told me that I have no job to talk about because I am an art director. After that my husband put me in, because he found it offensive, without me understanding that responsibility. And I believe he did it without thinking about the responsibilities of the title.
“I want to compensate shareholders – My money is tied up”
Earlier, Tzortzis Koutsolioutsos, concluding his apology, expressed his intention to proceed with compensating the shareholders of Folli-Follie with his personal property, which however is currently tied up.
“Morally I feel very bad the way things turned out. And I feel bad for the next day too. The company could go ahead and be on the Stock Exchange,” the defendant said, arguing that he had no intention of harming investors or shareholders.
Prosecutor: Is there a chance to compensate the shareholders?
Defendant: I really struggled. I currently have an account with my payroll and have had some mutual. I want to apply for the shareholders to be compensated….
Prosecutor: Do you have any assets?
Defendant: They are bound. It’s 4,100. 000 euros. There are and I want to be compensated not only those who attend the trial but also those who have appealed to the civil courts.
Class Support Counsel: What was to blame for things going wrong?
Defendant: I have answered. My father confessed the extent of this “beautification” and I explained how I got myself into this situation. I never intended to cheat.
The trial continues next week with the apologies of the remaining defendants.
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