Charleroi's criminal court sentenced swindler Stéphane Coszack to three years in prison and a fine of €312,000 on Monday for failing to pay his employees, among other things.
Dubbed 'Wallonia's number one swindler', the man in his 40s has been prosecuted numerous times for various scams and was judged in absentia for two cases involving workplace offences. He has been charged with pay issues, and a lack of proper work regulations and insurance, as well as problems related to holiday remuneration.
An inspection was carried out in November 2019 at his company Hercos Group, located on Place de la Digue in Charleroi, to assess work conditions and employee pay. Coszack was present during this surprise visit, during which he acknowledged being behind on some September and October salaries.
He confirmed that he would resolve the situation by 22 November and provide missing documents by 16 December of that year. He did not, however, appear for questioning on the second date as per the Labour Auditor's statement. Subsequently, several workers lodged complaints about unpaid wages.
A separate case was also brought forward concerning another establishment managed by Coszack. This case concerned more than €5,300 of unpaid social contributions, lack of insurance, and around ten undeclared workers on site.
For all the charges, the Prosecutor requested the maximum possible sentence (three years in prison) against the repeatedly convicted swindler.
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Coszack was also on trial for running a scam involving magician and illusionist Dani Lary, who was due to perform in Belgium. The scammer pre-sold several hundred fake tickets. He was convicted on 19 January 2005 in Brussels, and again on 22 November 2006 in Charleroi for other offences.
In November 2017, the swindler was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in absentia, and ordered to pay the late wages of half a dozen employees. In 2021, the criminal court sentenced him to a further 30 months' imprisonment.
"As long as he is not behind bars, he will not respect Belgian laws and will have no respect for workers," the Labour Auditor told La Dernière Heure. Stéphane Coszack's victims are under little illusion that they will ever see the money owed to them again.
