Germany Under Fire In Pursuit Of Tax Evaders

by Eric Westervelt, NPR

The Swiss are outraged that the German government wants to buy bank data on potential tax evaders from a whistleblower — data that were likely obtained illegally. Swiss politicians from the left and right are likening the German move to "bank robbery" and "dealing in stolen goods." But the Germans believe the data could net at least 100 million euros from German tax evaders. In 2008, Germany paid for data stolen from Liechtenstein's top bank, netting some 200 million euros.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, February 4, 2010