It's his money and he's been over 18 since 2005 (notice that they're only investigating crimes post 2006) - of course he has everything to do with it, even IF he didn't actually do anything or wasn't aware of the fraud.
Of course he should be in a position to reimburse the money if discrepancies are found - but the article is making it seem like it's HIS fault, even if he wasn't aware of it… That seems unfair.
The article says the fraud started before he came of age (i.e. 'grown-up'… ) when his father was still in charge.
Yes, of course a grown man should be in control of his money - and i would expect him to be so now - but that wasn't the situation that was in play, at the time. People should keep that in mind.
"The initiative to commit fraud came from his father" - and yet, all of the focus of the article is on a man who was probably a minor when these loopholes were set up… Sensationalistic reporting.
Well, what do you expect? That's what always happens. Fair isn't a word a lot of reporters know.
However, I think at some point Leo Messi should have taken an interest in his money, although I understand that he trusted his father - because, well, it's his father. Sigh. What a mess.
Oh, i know that the media isn't always fair - it's just that a lot of people (and ONTD in general) will take their cue from the media. All it takes is a bit of close reading comprehension to find out that it's his FATHER who's being accused of wrongdoing.
From the details given, the worst charge that can be levelled against Leo is that he might have been naive - but who wants to have that conversation with their parents? "Dad, do you mind if i look over everything you did for me when i was a kid with a fine-tooth comb, because i don't trust you?!" I can understand him trusting that his family would be acting in his best interests. :-(
Getting in trouble for tax fraud vs. having a conversation with your parents
Hmmmm
"According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, Messi and his father Jorge defrauded the state of more than $5.3 million from 2006-2009."
Seriously, though. Naivete is not a defense of the law. At age 18, you are responsible for your own taxes. If you allow someone else to handle them and benefit from the fraud, you are legally liable. Closing your eyes and plugging your ears does not absolve you of responsibility. If any normal non-famous person claimed that, they'd be laughed out of court. What's to stop anyone from DELIBERATELY having their parents file fraudulent claims on their behalf and then saying "I didn't know anything about it!" when it's found out? I'm not saying that that happened, because I don't know what happened. But it's a bullshit excuse. He needs to grow up and handle his own shit.
He's 25 years old. He's not as naive as you think.
I said i could UNDERSTAND it; i didn't say it was a good idea! :-)
If he honestly didn't know, if it can be PROVEN he didn't know, then he can pay the money back, and all's well… I seriously can't see him going to jail over this, so there's still no need for a huge fuss, unless it turns out to be a conspiracy he was in on… His father, on the other hand, doesn't have the same kind of famous cache, so it might be a little harder for him to wriggle out of!
Nobody ever said he was a devious swine. All that anyone here has said is that he needs to grow up and that being famous isn't an excuse for not overseeing your own finances like an adult. You're projecting.
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I just came by a picture of his underwear photoshoot. It scarred me for life!
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I saw it too.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
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So a grown-up man shouldn't be responsible for his money?
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Yes, of course a grown man should be in control of his money - and i would expect him to be so now - but that wasn't the situation that was in play, at the time. People should keep that in mind.
"The initiative to commit fraud came from his father" - and yet, all of the focus of the article is on a man who was probably a minor when these loopholes were set up… Sensationalistic reporting.
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However, I think at some point Leo Messi should have taken an interest in his money, although I understand that he trusted his father - because, well, it's his father. Sigh. What a mess.
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From the details given, the worst charge that can be levelled against Leo is that he might have been naive - but who wants to have that conversation with their parents? "Dad, do you mind if i look over everything you did for me when i was a kid with a fine-tooth comb, because i don't trust you?!" I can understand him trusting that his family would be acting in his best interests. :-(
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Hmmmm
"According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, Messi and his father Jorge defrauded the state of more than $5.3 million from 2006-2009."
Seriously, though. Naivete is not a defense of the law. At age 18, you are responsible for your own taxes. If you allow someone else to handle them and benefit from the fraud, you are legally liable. Closing your eyes and plugging your ears does not absolve you of responsibility. If any normal non-famous person claimed that, they'd be laughed out of court. What's to stop anyone from DELIBERATELY having their parents file fraudulent claims on their behalf and then saying "I didn't know anything about it!" when it's found out? I'm not saying that that happened, because I don't know what happened. But it's a bullshit excuse. He needs to grow up and handle his own shit.
He's 25 years old. He's not as naive as you think.
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If he honestly didn't know, if it can be PROVEN he didn't know, then he can pay the money back, and all's well… I seriously can't see him going to jail over this, so there's still no need for a huge fuss, unless it turns out to be a conspiracy he was in on… His father, on the other hand, doesn't have the same kind of famous cache, so it might be a little harder for him to wriggle out of!
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