Survey: petty corruption costing Greeks millions

ATHENS, Greece (AP) ? An international watchdog says petty corruption in the public sector is still costing Greeks millions of euros (dollars) a year, even though the country's financial crisis has led to a reduction in the size of bribes.

Transparency International said Tuesday that a nationwide survey for 2011 found smaller bribes were asked for and paid, reducing the estimated cost to ?554 million from ?632 million ($725 million from $842 million) the previous year. Hospitals, tax offices and offices issuing construction licenses are deemed the most corrupt.

The watchdog said 7.4 percent of households reported corruption incidents in the public sector last year, marginally up from 7.2 percent in 2010.

The nationwide survey questioned 12,020 people in November and December 2011.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects year in the last paragraph to 2011. Converts euros to dollars.)

Associated Press

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