Report: Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained at Munich Airport for Alleged Criminal Tax Issue
Actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at an airport in Munich for an alleged criminal tax issue.
The rather heavy-handed action occurred on Wednesday when German officials stopped him from boarding a plan and questioned him for three hours — telling him their government had “initiated criminal tax proceedings” against him.
The surprised Schwarzenegger was, according to the report, cited for “traveling with a watch he owns” that customs officials believe he “might be auctioning” in Austria in support of his charity in Kitzbuhel.
Page Six reported that a Munich custom’s spokesperson, Thomas Meister, told Bild News that Schwarzenegger did not properly “register” the watch, which they determined was considered an import.
Page Six reported the Audemars Piguet watch is valued at over $21,000.
A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger claimed he was “never asked to fill out a declaration form” and “answered every question from customs officers honestly.”
The spokesperson added that Schwarzenegger “cooperated at every step even though it was an incompetent shakedown, a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie.”
For his part, Schwarzenegger was annoyed but not “overly concerned” about the allegations made against him, according to Page Six.
The former governor agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the future sale of the watch, though it was his personal property and therefore not subject to taxation.
Adding to the comedy of errors, customs officials could not get the card transaction machine to operate properly and complete the transaction.
After one hour of attempting to process a payment, Schwarzenegger volunteered to withdraw funds via another card from an ATM, but the amount needed exceeded daily withdrawal limits and local banks were closed.
After additional delays, customs officials secured a new credit card machine and processed the payment.
Following paying the unusual payment demand, Schwarzenegger departed on a plane for Austria where he will support his charity that raises millions annually for after school programs for children as well as address “environmental concerns around the world.”
One person close to the matter told Page Six: “We hope Germany spends as much energy turning around their economy as they do asking for tax payments for people’s property they bring into the country, and we hope next time they don’t make him pay taxes on his suits.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Leave a Comment