The company of a businessman who has accused a Kremlin official of corruption reported being hit with tax claims comparable to the size of the alleged bribe.
Moskonversprom CEO Vladimir Morozov said in 2009 that Vladimir Leshchevsky, deputy head of construction in the Office of Presidential Affairs, demanded 180 million rubles ($6.1 million) from him for access to construction of a luxury hotel in Sochi for the 2014 Olympics.
A case was opened, but no charges were filed against Leshchevsky.
Meanwhile, city tax authorities demanded Moskonversprom pay almost 135 million rubles ($4.6 million) in unpaid taxes and fines, the company said in a statement Thursday.
The construction company has paid its own taxes, but must also cover what its subcontractors — which it has failed to "examine thoroughly" — owe the state budget, tax authorities said, the company reported.
The company called tax claims an attempt by the Office of Presidential Affairs to get back at Morozov for his graft complaint.
District and city tax officials were not immediately available for comment Thursday.
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