Lawyer Slams Canada For Slow Action Over Liechtenstein Tax Evaders - Report

Tom Burroughes

2 September 2008

The lawyer acting for the man who sparked an international scandal after he stole information about account holders at a Liechtenstein bank and sold it around the world has slammed the Canadian government for not acting on information it received about 100 Canadians on the list, according to the Financial Post.

"What I'm appalled about is that nothing has happened in Canada," Jack Blum, a Washington-based lawyer, told the newspaper. "There's been no sign of any action or activity and I don't know why," Mr Blum said.

Mr Blum's client, Heinrich Kieber, is reportedly living in a witness protection programme in an unidentified country after receiving death threats.

Earlier this year Mr Kieber made headlines after he sold data on more than 1,400 clients of LGT Group, a bank owned by members of the Liechtenstein royal family, to authorities in Germany, UK, the US and several other countries. Revenue Canada confirmed in February that it had received information on about 100 Canadian account holders and was looking into the matter.

But in the six months since then no charges have been laid and the agency has been silent on the matter.

A spokesperson for the Canada Revenue Agency said the inquiry is ongoing.