Revelations in TV 2’s documentary ‘The Black Swan’ about financial irregularities in nightclubs are now having consequences for hotel magnate Birger Arp-Hansen, who is resigning from his position on the board of Arp-Hansen Hotel Group. Birger Arp-Hansen, a prominent figure in the Danish hotel industry and co-owner of Arp-Hansen Hotel Group, has chosen to step down from his board position following revelations of invoice fraud in TV 2’s documentary ‘The Black Swan’. The documentary reveals that nightclubs, in which Arp-Hansen previously held stakes, received security services through a company that issued fake invoices.
‘The Black Swan’ documentary highlights that the nightclubs Museo and Søpavillonen, where Birger Arp-Hansen was part of the ownership circle until last year, collaborated with a security services company that received payment through an invoice factory. This means that the company issued invoices that covered actual payments for security services, but the money was funneled through a shell company, which could indicate tax evasion and potential money laundering. Arp-Hansen Hotel Group quickly responded to the revelations. In a statement, they emphasized the importance of conducting their business in a proper and trustworthy manner. To protect the company’s reputation, Birger Arp-Hansen chose to step down from the board.
His brother, Henning Arp-Hansen, who owns the majority of the hotel group, stated that Birger was not aware of the illegal activities, but the decision to resign was wise to ensure credibility. At the same time as Birger Arp-Hansen’s resignation, the State Authorized Audit Firm Kreston CM, which has been the auditor for both Arp-Hansen Hotel Group and the nightclubs, chose to withdraw from its tasks for the hotel chain. This step underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential financial irregularities highlighted by the documentary.
Birger and Henning Arp-Hansen inherited the hotel chain from their father and have significantly expanded it over the years. Arp-Hansen Hotel Group is one of Copenhagen’s largest hotel operators, with hotels such as Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center, Phoenix Copenhagen, and Wakeup Copenhagen Hotels, collectively accounting for around 22 percent of the capital’s room capacity. Their success has positioned them among the largest property owners in Copenhagen.
The nightclubs Museo and Søpavillonen have also responded to the revelations. They have stated that they were unaware they were dealing with an invoice factory. According to them, they had an agreement with an individual, Lennart Kent, who was responsible for supplying guards and sending invoices. Lennart Kent has subsequently taken full responsibility for the situation and declared that the clubs have not had contact with other suppliers.