An audit report from the Audit Service reveals that the Community Council of Agios Tychonas has collected rents amounting to €4.6 million from illegally constructed establishments on state land within the beach protection zone.
The report highlights five recreational centres built without planning permits within the framework of the Urban Project “Creation of a Park in Amathounta/Agios Tychonas Seaside Promenade,” erected on state land and within the Beach Protection Zone, areas unlawfully leased by the Community Council to private individuals without usage rights.
Furthermore, the Auditor General notes that from unaudited records between 2008 and 2022, the Community Council collected rents from the spaces housing the illegally erected recreational centres, totalling approximately €4.6 million.
The report also references allegations of potential embezzlement, though the case remains unresolved.
Following a complaint received by the Audit Service regarding possible cash embezzlement at the Agios Tychonas Community Council, on September 14, 2022, officials conducted a surprise on-site inspection of the treasury to verify the cash under the custody of collectors and employees in responsible positions.
However, due to incomplete and outdated financial records and the absence of the implicated employee, who was on leave, a conclusive determination of the actual cash balance or deficit in the council’s treasury could not be made.
Nevertheless, a series of legal and financial regulation violations were identified, including large sums of revenue being deposited into the council’s bank accounts belatedly. According to information available to the Audit Service, a private auditing firm is conducting an investigation into the matter, which has yet to conclude.
