The Office for the Fight Against Corruption, part of the police force, has formally charged four employees of the Police Academy in Bratislava with criminal offences. Three people are accused of damaging the financial interests of the European Community, while the fourth suspect is charged with manipulating a public procurement process, the TASR newswire reported.
The money from EU structural funds was supposed to be used for education, but the academy instead used it to purchase equipment including kitchen units, air conditioners and other items. The total loss to the European budget was €26,000, said police spokesperson Andrea Dobišová.
The second case, which pertains to a public procurement process during which the accused man agreed a deal with a bidder who had been picked in advance, resulted in a loss of €46,000, the police allege.
If found guilty, the four – identified as Igor Sch., Ladislav M., Renáta L. and Michal N. – could face up to eight years in prison, Dobiášová told TASR.
Earlier this year investigators revealed that 29 applicants to the academy, which is a university-level institution, were admitted as a result of manipulated entrance tests. Police say the group comprised about one quarter of the total student intake. In at least two cases bribes worth €5,000 were involved.
After the revelations the police charged the then rector of the Police Academy, Václav K., with abusing the powers of a public servant and corrupt behaviour. He was also forced to resign from his position, TASR wrote.
Source: TASR
For more information about this story please see: Rector of police academy charged with criminal offences
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
