Three times, the FIOD invaded their restaurant without finding anything, now Angela and Davy have lost everything
Anne Boer
May 6, 2026, 6:00 AMLast update: 07:19
They were living their dream with an Italian restaurant in Hattem. Now they have nothing but debts. They lost their business. Their own home has sold, far below the price. They live in stress every day. The long wait for their damage to be dealt with is debilitating.
Tired of fighting
“But that damage is priceless. The government has taken an important part of our lives. We can never do much again. Our children have suffered greatly as a result. We are devastated, tired of fighting. It is a matter of survival. Our health is severely stressed. This cannot be maintained. How much longer do we have to wait,” Angela says in tears.
Everything stands still
Davy says: “We want to build a life again. Have a rest, make up for lost time. This must have an end. Everything stands still. We see no future. And we've been waiting so long. It's so incredibly grueling. Every day, we face the consequences.
Angela and Davy no longer have a permanent place to live. They lead a wandering life. From time to time, they sleep on their daughter's couch. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment. She also had difficult years because of her parents' misery. But she has her life back on track.
Recovery is hell too
“We find comfort in other victims. We understand each other. We went through the same hell. I also think the so-called recovery is hell. We have become a business model. It takes forever. We have to fight for everything. Object to almost everything. Very discouraging and sickening.”
Many victims are dropping out as a result, says Angela.
“They can't keep it up. There are new rules, new time limits, every time. That doesn't feel like a generous recovery. Meanwhile, a lot of money mainly goes to people who have been hired to deal with the damage. Very painful.”
Repay 45,000 in a lump sum
The misery for Angela (57) and Davy (61) began in 2008, when they had an eight-table restaurant in Hattem for two years. They suddenly had to repay 45,000 euros to the tax authorities. The reason: they allegedly abused the child allowance scheme. That was not the case, as it turned out later.
“We didn't understand it. At the time, no one knew about the resulting scandal. We didn't know there were so many other victims.”
Mafia
Angela asked for clarification from the tax authorities.
“I called, wrote letters, objected. There was no explanation, except that we had to pay. I was told by an official that it wouldn't be a problem for me: I was a mafia, right? They were referring to my origins. I was born in Sicily but grew up in Germany, where my parents owned a restaurant.”
“I've never forgotten that comment about the mafia. I still feel it when I talk about it. At first I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious. Horrible, but it typifies what more victims have happened. Many are wrongly sued on the basis of origin.”
“We did not cause this”
In 2023, Angela and Davy were officially recognized as victims of the benefits affair. But like many other entrepreneurs, the damage to their business is not yet in the picture. “We all have to keep fighting for that. No matter how difficult and arduous it is. We did not cause this.”
She talks about the bailiffs and the many checks they received after the first attacks.
Eight tables and three raids
“We have had a raid by the Fiod three times. Three times, in our eight-table shop. That had such an impact on our company. There were so many cars and people in the street, as if we were serious criminals. Nothing was ever found. We were never fined. We worked there as a couple, with the help of two on-call workers.”
They are happy that they still have each other, even though that didn't matter. “Stress does strange things to you,” says Davy, shedding a tear.
Want to know more about the benefits scandal? Also read:
Hundreds of entrepreneurs are suing the state: 'Tax authorities destroyed us'
The forgotten chapter of the benefits affair: entrepreneurs who lost everything but get nothing back
'Government's response to the benefits affair report is unacceptable'
Credits:
Source: AD/De Stentor/DPG Media
Photo: Frans Paalman
Journalist: Anne Boer - The Stentor
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