The case of the urban planning scandal in Rhodes reveals more about the depth of decay and corruption that had allegedly taken root in the service. The extensive case file highlights the remarkable police investigation at the parental home of one of the employees, who was found hiding cash in nearly every corner of the house, as if it were some kind of treasure hunt.

The Discovery of Cash

According to official documents from the case file, on March 19, 2025, at 7:40 PM, police officers handling the case, acting on information and suspicions that the property in question contained objects and amounts related to the investigation, conducted a house search in the presence of the homeowner, who agreed without objection.

What they found resembled a scene from a movie:

• In the first bedroom, they discovered €138,000, including €5,000 inside an envelope with two names written on it and the phrase: “Thank you.”
• In the second bedroom, €85,000 was found.
• In the living room, inside a glass cabinet, €62,000 was stored, while an additional €21,000 was found elsewhere in the same space.
• In the kitchen, €50,000 in cash was located inside a cupboard.
• An extra €31,000 was found in the master bedroom, along with bank account books.

The total value of the confiscated cash exceeded €387,000, not including bank account balances or other assets. These amounts, as noted, could not be justified by a public servant’s salary and are now under financial analysis for potential money laundering.

The case is taking on a new dimension, as prosecutors investigate whether these funds are linked to bribes for building permits, special favors, or transactions with individuals outside the service.

Dismantling of an Organized Group Violating Urban Planning Regulations

Rare Byzantine Coins Found in the Possession of One of the Seven Arrested

Apart from their involvement in a network that fraudulently acquired foreign language diplomas, one of the seven arrested individuals was allegedly found in possession of authentic and particularly rare Byzantine coins dating between 550 and 650 AD. These coins, which hold great archaeological and economic value, were discovered during police investigations, reinforcing the image of a broader criminal network extending beyond the Rhodes Urban Planning Department.

The case took an unexpected turn as the case file examined by prosecutors included an official report from an employee of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese. This report stated that one of the seven arrested individuals possessed ancient coins, most of them from the Byzantine period.

Dated March 20, 2025, and signed by the employee, the report meticulously recorded the findings of an official inspection conducted at the department.

Expert Assessment of the Coins

According to the report:

“Yesterday afternoon, a police officer came to our office and showed me 19 uncleaned copper coins, asking if they were ancient artifacts. After a macroscopic examination using a magnifying glass and based on my experience in numismatics, I believe that—with only slight uncertainty about one piece—they are all authentic and fall under the protective provisions of the law.”

The Ephorate employee provided a detailed breakdown of the discovery:

• 11 coins were identified as Byzantine from various periods, most dating between 550 and 650 AD.
• 4 pieces were white trachy coins, likely Latin imitations from the first half of the 13th century.
• 2 coins were older: one large Late Rhodian piece and one Hellenistic coin from Alexandria.

Due to their condition, the employee explained that further evaluation could not be conducted until the coins were cleaned by a specialized conservator. However, it was clear that these findings fell under cultural heritage protection laws.

This report opens a new chapter in the high-profile case, raising questions about whether the possession of these coins was accidental or indicative of involvement in an antiquities trafficking network. Prosecutors are now tasked with investigating whether these artifacts were simply collected or part of an illicit operation.