Västerås politician convicted of serious fraud – must repay 430,000 kronor
Håkan Malmström has been convicted by Västmanland District Court of two counts of serious fraud. He must repay over 430,000 kronor to Västerås municipality and Region Västmanland.
Västerås politician convicted of serious fraud against municipality and region
Håkan Malmström, a politician active in Västerås, was convicted on Wednesday by Västmanland District Court of two counts of serious fraud, reports svt.se.
Malmström was charged with having received, during his time in Västerås municipal council and Västmanland regional council – as a representative for Sweden Democrats – compensation for lost work income to which he was not entitled. He left the party in connection with the charges. SD Västerås chair clarified that it is out of the question to hold office for the party after being charged with a serious crime.
Malmström has consistently denied the charges and, through his lawyer, claimed that he had only received compensation he was entitled to. Despite this, the district court convicted him of the two counts of serious fraud and sentenced him to a conditional sentence and community service.
He is additionally ordered to repay over 430,000 kronor plus interest to Västerås municipality and Region Västmanland. The court has also stripped him of his political offices of trust.
In the autumn election, Malmström is listed on the Moderate Party's list – as the party's first name for the municipal council in Västerås and second name for the regional council. The leadership of the Moderate Party in Västmanland expressed its support for him earlier this spring, in a debate article in VLT: "wish to clearly state that we have full and unwavering confidence in Håkan Malmström."
SVT reports that it is seeking comments from both Malmström and the leadership of the Moderate Party.
Source: Google News SE — Crime (sv)