Updated: New Graft Scandal in Hungary Sees Former Head of Chamber of Bailiffs Charged Regarding 'Influence-Peddling'

  • 15 Nov 2024 5:36 AM
Updated: New Graft Scandal in Hungary Sees Former Head of Chamber of Bailiffs Charged Regarding 'Influence-Peddling'
Prosecutorial investigators (KNYF) have filed charges against the former head of the Hungarian Chamber of Bailiffs (MBVK), György Schadl, and three suspected accomplices, accusing them of neglecting to report graft and influence-peddling.

Schadl is already under investigation on charges of corruption, property crimes and money laundering.

The current charges are against two independent deputy bailiff officers suspected of telling a bailiff applicant in August 2018 that they could influence the decision of the official in charge of making appointments "through their network of connections", the KNYF said in a statement. They also suggested that the costs of opening an office for the person in question could be covered in exchange for handing over a percentage of the office's revenues.

The applicant accepted the offer and agreed to pay each of the officers a 42.5 percent share of the revenues over a period of three years.

The appointment was scheduled to take place in the second half of 2019, according to the charges, but the applicant informed Schadl, in presence of his deputy, about the corrupt deal on the day he received his appointment papers, and Schadl ordered its termination.

Schadl and his deputy should have reported the matter to the authorities but neglected to do so, the KNYF said, adding that an investigation into the case was later ordered by the chief public prosecutor.

KNYF has asked for this case to be added to the ongoing investigation against Schadl and 21 other suspects on other corruption cases and other crimes, the statement said.

OLAF, Hungary Integrity Authority chiefs discuss cross-border cooperation in fighting graft, fraud

The Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Hungary's Integrity Authority discussed cross-border cooperation within the European Union on fighting corruption and fraud, the Hungarian authority told MTI in a statement on Wednesday.

At their talks in Budapest, Ville Itala and Ferenc Pal Biro underscored the importance of combining resources and expertise in handling complex cross-border crimes that target EU taxpayers' money, the statement said.

They declared their common commitment towards expanding the powers and capabilities of the two authorities, uncovering and investigating international fraud and enhancing legal procedures.

"Protecting EU resources and safeguarding the integrity of our financial systems is of paramount importance," the statement quoted Itala as saying. "OLAF's cooperation with national authorities such as the Hungarian Integrity Authority is fundamentally important for cross-border transparency and accountability," he said.

Biro said: "We are committed to the cooperation with OLAF to swiftly unveil and eliminate corrupt practices, and to facilitate the responsible use of taxpayers' money."

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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