Survey: Petty Corruption Costing Greeks Millions

The Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — An international watchdog says petty corruption in the public sector is still costing Greeks millions of euros (dollars) a year, even though the country's financial crisis has led to a reduction in the size of bribes.

Transparency International said Tuesday that a nationwide survey for 2011 found smaller bribes were asked for and paid, reducing the estimated cost to €554 million from €632 million ($725 million from $842 million) the previous year. Hospitals, tax offices and offices issuing construction licenses are deemed the most corrupt.

The watchdog said 7.4 percent of households reported corruption incidents in the public sector last year, marginally up from 7.2 percent in 2010.

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April 03, 2012

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1. Philip Vorgias wrote on April 03, 2012 10:08 AM	Greece needs an empowered Justice Department headed by folks of impeccable credentials to take on public corruption. With the full power to throw corrupt public officials in jail. Of course, the Greek government would never allow it because they like things the way they are. Just ask Akis.

2. LOUIS TSAKIRIS wrote on April 03, 2012 2:11 PM	Diogenes is still looking!

3. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on April 03, 2012 4:48 PM	Unfortunately Greece is a very corrupt country. In order for someone to do his job he must be paid off. It is a sorry state that's why Greece is a doomed country. They should be ashamed of themselves for all of this.

4. Philip Vorgias wrote on April 03, 2012 6:08 PM	All it takes is for some folks to start reporting government officials who ask for bribes to do the job, Nicholas. Throw a few dozen of the deadbeats in jail and it will end quickly. The next PM will have to push those reforms through, Papademos is acting like a caretaker now.

5. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on April 04, 2012 1:25 PM	Philip do you think that the Greeks can do it? There past has shown otherwise. What kind of government do you think will finally come out in the end? It is such a shame this whole episode.

6. Philip Vorgias wrote on April 04, 2012 11:35 PM	Sure, of course they can do it. The MUST do it, there is no alternative. If Greek politicians think they can go on scamming the public they're clueless. The 'good times' when they excercised their corruption without restraint are over with. The sooner the Greek people recognize that and demand law-abiding politicians the better.
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Monday, May 20, 2013 Last Update: 4:05 AM ET