Arnold Schwarzenegger, the renowned Hollywood star and former California governor, recently made headlines when he was detained by customs officers at the Munich airport. The reason behind this unexpected turn of events was a luxury watch that Schwarzenegger was wearing but had not declared.
On a journey to Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger was stopped by customs officers at the Munich airport. He had failed to declare the luxury watch he was wearing, which raised suspicion. The renowned actor, aged 76 at the time, was detained for three hours while the customs officers investigated the situation. The incident took place just a day before Schwarzenegger’s planned charity auction in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
According to a source familiar with the incident, Schwarzenegger was never asked to fill out a declaration form. In an attempt to resolve the matter, he tried to pay the taxes for the watch using a credit card at the airport. Unfortunately, the credit card machine was not working. The actor was then escorted to an ATM to withdraw money to pay the taxes, but the withdrawal limit was too low. Additionally, the bank was closed, further complicating the situation. Finally, customs officers managed to bring in a working credit card machine, allowing Schwarzenegger to pay the taxes.
The luxury watch that caused all the commotion was intended to be auctioned at a charity event organized by Schwarzenegger in Kitzbuhel, Austria. The event aimed to raise funds for The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, a foundation supporting climate projects worldwide. The actor-turned-philanthropist has long been an advocate for environmental causes, and this charity auction was another opportunity for him to contribute to the fight against climate change.
READ ALSO: John Kerry Leaves Climate Post to Boost Biden’s Race for Reelection
Once the watch is successfully auctioned, The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative will ensure that it is properly reported, as is the case with all of Arnold’s non-profit organizations. The foundation is committed to transparency and adheres to all legal requirements when it comes to reporting and taxation.
While the incident at the Munich airport seemed like a simple case of failing to declare a luxury item, it has now become a matter of potential tax evasion. A criminal procedure investigation is currently underway to determine if Schwarzenegger intentionally evaded taxes related to the luxury watch. The customs spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and the outcome will determine if any charges will be filed.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey from a bodybuilder to a Hollywood icon is well-known. Born in Austria, he achieved international fame through his bodybuilding career, winning numerous titles including Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia. His success in the fitness industry paved the way for a successful acting career, with memorable roles in movies like “The Terminator” franchise, “Predator,” and “Total Recall.”
Beyond his acting career, Schwarzenegger also ventured into politics. In 2003, he became the Governor of California, serving two terms. During his tenure, he worked on various initiatives, including environmental policies and education reform. After leaving office, he continued to be an influential figure and an advocate for causes he believes in, such as climate change and fitness.
