Children's camp replaced by handball arena – investigation into Józsefváros development resumes
Hundreds of millions of forints in irregularities have come to light surrounding the renovation of a Lake Balaton holiday facility. Authorities are now investigating again.
Children's camp replaced by handball arena – investigation into Józsefváros development resumes
For more than a decade, children from Józsefváros have been unable to take holidays at the Káptalanfüred holiday facility. The renovation of the Balaton property began in 2015, but during the project a significant portion of the forest was felled and a sports facility was constructed in place of the camp. A number of irregularities emerged surrounding the construction, prompting the National Tax and Customs Administration to investigate again.
The investment was initiated by the earlier, Fidesz-led city leadership. A sports association from Veszprém participated in the works, and at the time a prominent businessman was connected to it. The municipality transferred hundreds of millions of forints to the contractor, but no adequate accounting was produced for how the money was spent.
In 2019, a new mayor took over the district, who reviewed the stalled project. András Pikó filed a report because there were suspicions that budget fraud and forged documents played a role in the affair. After a two-year investigation, the financial investigation authority closed the file, but the prosecutor's office challenged this decision. According to the Veszprém District Prosecutor's Office, the authority did not conduct a thorough investigation, and further evidence needs to be gathered.
Several problems emerged during the development: the contractor company entered liquidation, warranty defects were not remedied, and part of the state subsidy had to be returned. The children have not been able to use the holiday facility since.
The city leader expressed hope that political obstacles have by now been removed, and the proceedings can finally produce results.
Source: HVG
Source: HVG