German region reportedly buys second tax cheater CD

The Financial Times Deutschland reports that a German state government has bought a second CD with data on tax dodgers. A dispute between Germany and Switzerland over tax safe havens could reignite as a consequence.

The western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has reportedly purchased a second CD containing the personal data of German tax evaders in Switzerland, potentially jeopardizing a treaty aimed at resolving the dispute between the two countries.

The Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) reported on Saturday that the NRW state government bought the CD for some 3.5 million euros ($4.2 million). The disc supposedly contains information on 1,000 German citizens who have parked assets in Switzerland to evade taxes in their home country.

The individuals in question are mostly customers of private Coutts Bank, according to FTD. Coutts is a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland and has served the British royal family since the 18th century.

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