A well-known actor, who was reportedly seen visiting the offices used by a protection racket involving brothels and gambling dens in Athens, has denied any involvement with the criminal organization.

“I have no involvement with the criminal organization. I am shocked. I had a working relationship with one of these companies, but I knew nothing more. I have nothing to do with protection rackets or fraud and what this organization is being accused of. I know them as an accounting firm; we had some discussions to do some work,” the actor, whose name has not been revealed, told Mega TV.

Earlier, it had been reported that the actor was a board member of one of the 61 companies linked to the criminal organization.

It is understood that the actor was seen twice visiting the offices of the criminal organization on two dates in April 2024.

The actor has not been questioned by police. 

Last week, a prosecutor charged 19 suspects with a slew of offences, some of which are felonies, over their roles as members of two criminal organizations involved in bribery linked to brothels and gambling clubs, as well as large-scale tax fraud. The charges include forming and running a criminal gang, aggravated fraud against the state, money laundering, bribery, illegal possession of weapons.

Among the suspects are four police officers.

Sources suggest the network has ties to an anti-drug unit officer accused of communicating with a cocaine trafficker through encrypted platforms.