Arnold Schwarzenegger Faces Tax Proceedings After Watch Incident at Munich Airport
Munich, Germany – In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood icon and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to undergo criminal tax proceedings following an incident at Munich Airport. The action star failed to declare a high-value item upon his arrival in Germany, leading to his brief detention, revealed a Munich Customs press officer in a statement to CNN on Wednesday.
According to Thomas Meister, the press officer, Schwarzenegger neglected to declare a product imported from non-EU countries, a violation that triggers legal consequences for any traveler. Meister emphasized the universality of the process, stating, “And this process applies to everyone.”
The ordeal lasted over two hours, during which Schwarzenegger, known for his roles in blockbuster movies, was eventually released and allowed to continue his journey. A source close to the actor informed CNN that the detained item was a watch, possibly intended for auction at a charity event in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
The watch in question is reported to be from the prestigious Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet. Contrary to common protocol, Schwarzenegger was not provided with a declaration form, and the source insisted that he answered all customs officers’ questions truthfully.
“He cooperated at every step even though it was an incompetent shakedown, a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie,” the source added.
In a peculiar turn of events, Schwarzenegger agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch. However, the customs officers encountered difficulties in processing the payment. The officers attempted to use a credit card machine for an hour without success, eventually resorting to bringing the actor to a bank to withdraw cash from an ATM.
Unexpectedly, the ATM had a withdrawal limit that proved insufficient, and the bank was closed. Upon his return, a new officer brought a functioning credit card machine, successfully concluding the payment process.
The incident at Munich Airport has left both Schwarzenegger and his supporters bemused by what the source described as a “total comedy of errors” in a seemingly routine customs check.
Germany initiates criminal tax proceedings against Arnold Schwarzenegger🇩🇪
⏱Arnold Schwarzenegger (76) was held at Munich Airport for several hours because customs found valuable luxury watch
💬Spokesman for the main customs office in Munich: “We have initiated criminal tax… pic.twitter.com/GF9OPapEXd
— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) January 17, 2024