Artist Botero probed in Italy for tax evasion

Nov 12, 2008, 13:14 GMT

Lucca, Italy - Ferdinando Botero, famous for his sculptures and paintings depicting oversized human figures, is under investigation in Italy for allegedly owing a hefty sum in unpaid taxes, news reports said Wednesday.

Tax police near Lucca, Tuscany, believe the Colombian-born artist has failed to declare earnings amounting to 7 million euros (8.8 million dollars), part of which was used to purchase a country villa in the area.

Investigators also believe that the house, situated on a hill overlooking the main square of the town of Pietrasanta, reportedly cost 1.2 million euros, double the amount declared in the deed of sale, Milan daily Corriere della Sera, reported.

The 76-year-old Botero has denied any wrongdoing.

'It is absurd. I don't owe the Italian tax revenue a single cent. I only spend a couple of months a year in Italy, and my tax residence is Montecarlo,' Botero was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.

'Acting like this is the best way to persuade us foreign artists to leave Italy as soon as possible,' he added.