Modigliani and Picasso's works confiscated
Lanfranco Cirillo is the architect who designed what is called "Putin's Palace." Italian authorities took art and other valuable items from him. Putin is said to own the huge, luxurious property on the Black Sea, but both Putin and Cirillo have denied this. The police took away valuable items worth $144 million, such as jewelry, cash, and 150 pieces of art, some of which were made by Modigliani and Picasso.
The architect owes 51 million euros in taxes
Cirillo has been accused of a number of crimes and owes about 51 million euros in taxes. He is also being looked into for laundering money. Cirillo's assets were taken from him after he made some purchases that made authorities think he may have faked his move to Moscow, where he was given citizenship, to avoid paying taxes.
"In particular, the professional is being looked into for not reporting tens of millions of euros in income from 2013 to 2019, while keeping his family, emotional, and economic-patrimonial interests in Italy," said a statement from the Guardia di Finanza, the branch of Italian law enforcement that deals with financial crimes.
It's not true, says his lawyer, Stefano Lojacono
In a statement, Lojacono said, "The architect, who is in Moscow, is very upset that the fact that he bought some expensive properties and works of art in Italy and took care of his wife and daughter is now being used as evidence that he faked his move abroad." The fate of the artworks that were taken won't be known until Cirillo's case is over.
The works of art will be donated to Italian museums
"As usual," said Marco Tolla of the Guardia di Finanza, "the works of art will be taken by the state and given to Italian museums" if the court gives a guilty verdict before a trial that is considered to be conclusive.
Selena Mattei