Customs authority arrests six people in National Cultural Foundation scandal
The customs authority has detained six people in the scandal surrounding the National Cultural Foundation programme. Among the suspects are the former deputy director of the institution and the suspended director of the body managing the grants.
Customs authority arrests six people in National Cultural Foundation scandal
The customs authority has detained six people in the scandal surrounding the National Cultural Foundation programme – announced the ministry chief on social media. Those arrested are employees of the institution affiliated with the foundation and the ministry.
According to reports, among those arrested is the recently departed deputy director of the foundation. Additionally, the suspended director of the body managing the funds and his chief of staff have been taken into custody. The investigation has also reached the head of the committee reviewing prominent programmes and two further members – a state secretary's office head and a deputy ministerial cabinet chief.
The suspects were questioned on suspicion of abuse of asset management. According to the customs authority, the damage caused exceeds 17 billion forint. The county prosecution is seeking their detention, which the Kecskemét court could rule on on Thursday.
The background to the case is that in recent times it became public that: significant sums from one prominent framework of the foundation went to organisations with government party ties and well-known figures ahead of elections. The money was distributed on an electoral district basis. The scandal was exposed by an actor-activist.
As a result of the payments, such celebrities as a singer, a rapper and a rock musician have benefited. Some of the organisations and individuals suspected of abuse have already begun repaying the money. Of the 17 billion forint, more than 2 billion has so far been returned to the state.
The minister wrote on social media that investigators have collected the documents and equipment that could show what happened with the foundation's payments.
Source: 444.hu
Source: 444