The Fondation Louis Vuitton, she benefited from a tax system may be advantageous in the construction of the building on the edge of the gardens of acclimatization of Paris? It is in any case what affirms the republican Front intervention against corruption (Fricc). This association of anti-corruption has filed a complaint for fraud and tax evasion aimed at the cultural center of the LVMH group in Paris, has it learned Friday from source close to the folder.
The Fricc was filed on November 15, with the tribunal de grande instance of Paris this complaint against X for fraud, handling of stolen goods, fraud, tax evasion and laundering of tax fraud.
The complaint «has obviously been written for the sole purpose of harming the reputation of the Foundation Louis Vuitton and the group LMVH», responded the spokesperson, adding that they are «suing» the Fricc «for slanderous denunciation» and «claim damages corresponding to the prejudice of media experienced.»
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Observing that the final cost of construction of the building of the Fondation Louis Vuitton had reached nearly 790 million euros versus 100 million euros announced at the beginning of the project in 2006, the Fricc condemns in particular the fact that LVMH has been able to benefit from a tax system allowing him to deduct the tax on companies 60% the amount of money spent. The group have also carried out an application for a VAT refund. According to the complaint, «the total amount of discharge obtained by the LVMH group and of the Fondation Louis Vuitton» has reached close to € 603 million.
«Funding the future work»
on Wednesday, in a report on the patronage, the Court of auditors has pointed out that the reduction of taxes of the companies in the LVMH group for the sums paid to the Fondation Louis Vuitton was «approximately 8.1% of the total tax expenditure for the State, under the patronage of enterprises over the period». According to the Court, from 2007 to 2014, the construction of the building in the bois de Boulogne in Paris «has been the main activity of the Foundation». «For the record, the report of the Court of Auditors on the sponsorship of companies said, after an investigation has been long and detailed, that the Fondation Louis Vuitton did not call for any observations as to its regularity or legality», highlights the group of Bernard Arnault.
For its part, the association Fricc also notes that «although the press services of the Foundation Louis Vuitton speak of a technological challenge, incredible, the amount is still exorbitant, especially compared to those of other buildings of the same kind». It note in particular that the site of transformation of the parisian department store La Samaritaine, another project of LVMH, has been estimated at up to 500 million euros, for an area significantly greater than that of the building of the Foundation Louis Vuitton.
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In this context, the Fricc is demand in particular, «if the total amount of discharge» obtained on the construction of the Foundation, would not «permit the LVMH group to fund, at lower cost, the future work of the group». «I hope that the public authority will be taken of the issues raised by the complaint to perform an actual control of the niche’s fiscal sponsorship», said to AFP Joseph Breham, counsel for the Fricc.
