Five men have been convicted in the corruption case in Oslo municipality’s real estate company Boligbygg. The case includes apartment purchases for NOK 1.4 billion.
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Prison sentences vary from three and a half years to half a year, he writes Today’s business. The verdict is in line with the plaintiff’s claim.
In the case, apartment buildings and apartments were resold to the municipal company Boligbygg with a million profit. Four of the men have been convicted of corruption, while the fifth has been convicted of laundering proceeds from corruption, Økokrim states in a press release.
– Corruption is destructive to people’s trust in a well-functioning public sector, which in turn is a prerequisite for a stable democracy, it is stated in the judgment from Oslo District Court. The verdict is close to 100 pages.
The case, which was rolled up by Today’s business in 2017, is considered one of Oslo Municipality’s biggest corruption cases ever. All five have pleaded not guilty.
Large resources in the investigation
The comprehensive ruling shows the seriousness of corruption in public activities, says Attorney General Håvard Kampen in Økokrim.
– We will give high priority to further investigating corruption, especially in the public sector. The ruling also shows that it is important that we have spent resources on investigating the case, Kampen told DN.
One of the men’s defenders, lawyer Trond Aansløkken, says that they will appeal the verdict. As for the other defenders, they either notify a possible appeal or have not responded to DN’s inquiries.
Three of the men are sentenced to pay legal costs of 120,000 kroner each. In addition, two of the men must withstand a confiscation of dividends totaling close to NOK 3 million.
Exploited a vulnerable situation
Boligbygg ordered an investigation of the case after DN’s series of articles in the autumn of 2017. The purchase of around 500 apartments for a total of NOK 1.4 billion was followed up by investigators from the auditing firm Deloitte.
The investigators concluded one year later that the municipality had paid a premium of between 80 and 115 million kroner for the properties.
– The accused have exploited a vulnerable situation in the municipality, where there was talk of managing large sums over a short period of time. There was relatively much leeway for those who wanted to take advantage of the situation, said police lawyer Marthe Smestad in Økokrim in court.
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