1 bn euro evasion on Chinese transfers (3)

(ANSA) - Florence, July 1 - Tuscany Governor Enrico Rossi said Friday there was "at least" an estimated one billion euros a year of tax evasion on money transfers by Chinese textile firms and workers in the Prato area. "We don't want to point fingers at the whole Chinese community but I'll ask tax police to carry out more checks," he said. Earlier this week 400-500 Chinese workers rioted at Sesto Fiorentino near Prato to stop police trying to arrest a factory head, in a protest linked by some to the triads. The workers threw stones, bottle and cans at police, who responded with baton charges. The factory chief and another man was arrested the day after the riot.
    Rossi said probes had uncovered "frightful" tax evasion of some five billion euros a year between 2007 and 2010 and he would also ask the economy ministry to set up a task force to clamp down on this illegal activity.