Gondosóra Programme: Officials suspected of breach of trust, police launch investigation
The Budapest Police Headquarters has launched an investigation on suspicion of breach of trust in connection with the Gondosóra programme. The government suspects massive overpricing behind the hundred-billion forint spending.
Investigation launched into Gondosóra programme overpricing
The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) has ordered an investigation on suspicion of breach of trust in connection with the Gondosóra programme, the police said on Friday in a response to an enquiry from Telex. According to Google News HU — Crime (hu), the case came to light following an examination of the programme.
The Minister of Science and Technology announced in August that the government had filed a complaint after the investigation suggested massive overpricing behind the hundred-billion forint spending. Zoltán Tanács subsequently informed the public that the programme may also have been used by the former ruling party to collect personal data, which is why the government is filing a report with the National Data Protection and Freedom of Information Authority (NAIH).
Prime Minister Magyar Péter described the programme as "full-scale theft" at the government spokesperson's briefing on 23 July. The head of government did not dispute the purpose of Gondosóra, but in his view, completely outdated technology was used and it was totally overpriced. "There will be proceedings, this was also an NER business," Magyar said.
In July, the Integrity Authority notified the MTI that it had filed complaints on suspicion of multiple criminal offences based on an interim report examining certain purchases under the programme. The authority is also initiating a regulatory procedure with the managing body and is advocating for proceedings to be initiated by other competent authorities.
The essence of the Gondosóra programme is a continuous dispatcher service: in case of emergency, elderly users can press a button on a device worn around the neck or on the wrist to request help. The government plans to completely modernise the system.
The Tisza government's "Reported Billions" webpage tracks ministerial complaints filed since the change of government: in a total of 22 cases, complaints have been filed affecting 2,128 billion forints of public funds, including the Gondosóra case.
Source: Google News HU — Crime (hu)