“Me and computers, that’s two…” admits Filipe Moreira. Tuesday, December 10, this artisan of Compiégnoisaged 48, is on trial for hidden work and “for having declared several invoices for his benefit”. Found guilty, he received 5 months in prison with suspended probation.
Analysis of his various bank accounts shows that Filipe Moreira received 141,000 euros from 2018 to 2022, but only declared 5,000 to URSSAF.
The defendant does not dispute the facts. “In 2018, I wasn’t doing this voluntarily,” he says. From 2018, declarations to URSSAF were only possible on the internet.” His lack of computer skills therefore prevented him from declaring his invoices, he said. What URSSAF, civil party in this case, contests: “There is digital assistance to make declarations.”
“I couldn’t pay anymore”
During the hearing, the defendant changed his version. “I couldn’t declare because I couldn’t pay anymore,” he said. This characterizes, in the eyes of the URSSAF, the desire not to declare one’s income.
The URSSAF, victim of this file, considered that many invoices were confusing. An inspection therefore took place at the defendant’s home. By not declaring all of his income, this business manager refrained “from contributing to the social protection service” since he “does not generate back and forth with social security”. The URSSAF lawyer notes that he “admitted to having reduced his turnover”.
The court notes that, during the four years when the defendant no longer declared his income, his income fell more and more. However, the URSSAF did not immediately carry out checks on him. “We wait until people are at the bottom of the hole before coming to see them…” comments the judge.
“He’s not a competitive gangster.”
The defendant has nine entries in his criminal record, mainly traffic offenses.
For the defense lawyer, his client “is not a competitive gangster.” He explains that he thought he was within his rights and still left “handwritten traceability of his accounts”.
Filipe Moreira receives five months in prison suspended for two years. During this period, he must provide proof of training and employment and compensate the URSSAF.
The court requests a referral on civil interests, in order to determine the exact amount of URSSAF’s damage. This hearing will take place on May 13, 2025.
Camille VOLPOET
