tax evasion

The EU has previously called on countries to end the practice, noting that investor citizenship schemes carried "inherent" security issues, as well as risks of money laundering, tax evasion and corruption.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he "never thought about committing fraud" as he testified in court in Spain over tax evasion charges.

"My conclusion is that in the case, there has been a tax evasion… because all the parties know exactly what to do in order to hide the reality," he said.

Cromartie, a former Democratic city council member in Columbia, South Carolina, was convicted of tax evasion.

The brothers have also been accused of tax evasion in the UK.