February 25, 2008

Little Liechtenstein in Big Trouble

| , , , , , , ,

As long as humanity has had taxes there has been tax evasion and for wealthy Europeans the microstate of Liechtenstein has been happy to hide their money for centuries. To be honest I figure the only reason this postage stamp of a Principality still exists in modern Europe is as a tax-haven for the Uber-rich. New Money thinks having a Swiss bank account is something to brag about, but the Old Money of Europe knows better, puts their money in Liechtenstein and does not say a word.

Unfortunately for them, somebody else leaked names recently and now this tiny country with more companies than people faces a huge tax scandal linked to the private bank of the Prince: LGT Bank. Depending upon where you live in the world, you might not hear about this on the local news, but this is only going to get bigger as more prominent names and nationalities are discovered. It would not surprise me if it got huge, but I also wouldn't doubt the whole thing getting "hushed up" by some very powerful people. Stay tuned.

0 comments: