PM to investigate fraud in Liberec ski championship

CzechNews
20. 2. 2009 11:20
The Supreme Audit Office filed a complaint against the organizers who are suspected of financial scam
Blame the previous government, says PM Mirek Topolánek
Blame the previous government, says PM Mirek Topolánek | Foto: Tomáš Adamec, Aktuálně.cz

Prague - The reputation of the nordic ski world championship that has kicked off this week in Liberec may not stay entirely clean.

PM Mirek Topolánek (Civic Democrats) now wants to examine all the errors committed by the organizers during the championship preparation.

He said that in the lower house of the Parliament on Thursday responding to the complaint the Czech Supreme Audit Office (Národní kontrolní úřad) has filed against the championship organizers.

The organizers stand accused of suspicion of financial scam, loan fraud, violation of economic contact regulations and breach of duty in property administration.

Kateřina Neumannová is at the helm of the nordic skiing world championship in Liberec
Kateřina Neumannová is at the helm of the nordic skiing world championship in Liberec | Foto: Tomáš Adamec, Aktuálně.cz

The Office chief František Dohnal earlier criticized the Education Ministry as well as Liberec authorities and local Technical University. According to the Audit Office, there was no audit done during the preparation works.

Blame Social Democrats

"I guarantee you that the investigation will show that the basic errors in the finances had been done before I came topower," said PM Topolánek, pointing the finger at the previous ruling party, the Social Democrats (ČSSD).

"If I am still in power, I will make sure the investigation be completed," said Topolánek.

Civic Democrats' leader Topolánek was quick to bash the low-sea-level locality without regular snowing and the insufficient sports background. He said Harrachov and Bedřichov, popular skiing resorts, would have been a much better choice.

 

"We have finished everything but it has turned out to be very expensive. Should we ever organize a similar event, I don't want to be responsible," said Topolánek.

The championship has cost so far several billion crowns. The last stimulus amounting to CZK 200 million was approved by the government two weeks ago.

Sports fans in Liberec are the first ones to see officially women ski jumping pioneers flying down the long ramp, since the Czech Republic is the first country to stage the women's ski jumping category. 

 

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