József Kosztics, the independent but gambling-addicted mayor of Siklósnagyfalu, constantly embezzled various sums from the municipality, which he mainly used to satisfy his passion for gambling.

The Siklós Public Prosecutor's Office brought charges against a former mayor and his partner for the crime of embezzlement of a significant value, who embezzled nearly HUF 42 million from the local government, the prosecutor's office said in a statement .

The man was the mayor of Siklósnagyfalu village between 2010 and 2021, while his partner was employed at the municipal office. The woman had access to the municipality's bank accounts for the purpose of performing some of the financial tasks of her job.

In 2020, the mayor continuously embezzled various amounts from the municipality. His partner transferred funds from the municipality's bank account to the mayor's bank account, which were partly used for the politician's passion for gambling. In addition, at the mayor's request, the partner transferred money from the municipality to his own account.

In 2020, the defendants caused more than HUF 8 million in damage to the municipality.

The Siklósnagyfalu Plant Growing Service Social Cooperative was founded in 2015, whose chief executive was the mayor, who kept and used the cooperative's bank cards. The mayor

he made unauthorized purchases on numerous occasions with the card, which he used not for the purposes of the cooperative, but to finance his passion for gambling.

In addition to the mayor, his partner also made unauthorized transfers from the cooperative's account in 2020. During the four years, the mayor used nearly HUF 34 million from the cooperative's money, of which HUF 8 million was spent together with his partner.

The act of the defendants is suitable for establishing the crime of embezzlement of significant value, committed in a commercial manner. The District Prosecutor's Office of Siklós reached an agreement with the defendants, on the basis of which the prosecutor's office requested a four-year prison sentence against the mayor.

Source: vg.hu

Photo: József Kosztics / Facebook