How to hide it

Interior Minister František Bublan will go down in history for telling LN that there are many Czech politicians who have assets they probably couldn't have acquired legally, not just Stanislav Gross. If ODS Chairman Mirek Topolánek is right about the upcoming privatization sales, more coalition politicians will soon need to find a way to hide their ill-gotten gain. How to do it? Not even Swiss banks are what they used to be, because of the new money-laundering rules. And real-estate is clearly too risky, just ask Šárka Grossová. Conspicuous consumption, like Gross's expensive watch, also draws attention. Mattresses are definitely out. No, the clever politician uses an intermediary (lawyers, lobbyists and PR men are especially good), puts the money on ice, and gets a well-paying job after leaving politics. Then it's easier to explain the fancy suits and fast cars. [Czech Republic Lidové noviny corruption public relations]