The police open an investigation against Stavanger mayor Sissel Knutsen Hegdal (H). – I can confirm that the police have informed us that they will take a closer look at the bills after two dinners which were held respectively on the Saturday before the local elections last year and on the election night itself, says lawyer Halvard Helle. In addition, the police will look into the circumstances surrounding a cash withdrawal of NOK 5,000 and a gift of NOK 3,900. The amounts total NOK 20,400. The case against Sissel Knutsen Hegdal concerns the following transactions on 16 January 2023: Online shopping with Klarna. Incorrect use of the city council group’s card on four occasions on the same day. A total of NOK 8,813. 18 February 2023: Purchase of a plane ticket from Stavanger to Alicante. The reason for the purchase was that Sissel Knutsen Hegdal had to buy a new ticket in connection with Erna Solberg’s visit to Stavanger. The travel bill lacks documentation documenting that a new plane ticket purchased with the city council group’s payment card compensates for a private outlay for the original trip. A total of NOK 4,901. 21 April 2023: Flight ticket to Oslo without documentation of a work-related agreement in Oslo. A total of NOK 3,479. 4 May 2023: Withdrawal of cash without documentation. A total of NOK 5,000. 13 June 2023: The city council group’s card was used to pay for a gift to a party member, at the same time as a fundraiser had taken place via Spleis for the same gift. A total of NOK 3,900. 26–27 September 2023: Tickets to Utopia and purchase of eight festival passes. Five of the festival passes were for Conservative Party politicians and their entourage and were approved, but the other three festival passes for family members were not. The amount to be repaid totals NOK 11,996. 9 September 2023: Dinner with the family at Restaurant Vaar as a conclusion to the election campaign. A total of NOK 7,500. 13 September 2023: Dinner at Restaurant Harry Pepper on election day with spouse and a couple of friends. A total of NOK 4,000. 18 September 2023: Purchase of a plane ticket from Oslo to Stavanger to a person with no formal connection to the Conservative Party. A total of NOK 1,559. All amounts have been refunded. In total, we are talking about NOK 51,148. Source: Press release from the Conservative Party Denies criminal guilt Helle says to news that Knutsen Hegdal denies criminal guilt. – She has not knowingly disposed of funds to the detriment of the party. Nor can we find evidence that the four conditions can be considered embezzlement in the sense of the Criminal Code, says Helle to news. He says Hegdal is looking forward to explaining himself to the police and getting a quick clarification on the matter. The police have found no reason to investigate the other five cases. These other cases have been put aside by the police, says lawyer Halvard Helle. – The condition for launching an investigation is that there must be reasonable grounds to investigate whether a criminal offense has been committed, says police attorney Rune Gjertsen. He says the police will be very careful with the investigation. Misused party funds On 4 September, Knutsen Hegdal resigned as mayor of Stavanger. The reason is that the mayor has used party funds for private consumption during the election campaign in 2023. Conservative leader Erna Solberg said that the decision to resign was wise, but at the same time thanked her for her efforts. Knutsen Hegdal is on sick leave, but says she is still mayor. Deputy mayor Henrik Halleland acts as mayor. In connection with the public discussion of the mayor’s case in Stavanger, the secretary general of the Conservative Party has sent documents to the Sør-West police district. There is no formal notification from the Conservative Party. Published 18.09.2024, at 08.19 Updated 18.09.2024, at 08.38
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The police open an investigation against the Stavanger mayor – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
