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Finnish Lawmaker Accused of Claiming Sauna as His 2nd Home Finnish Lawmaker Accused of Claiming Sauna as His 2nd Home
(about 3 hours later)
Finland’s police are investigating whether a lawmaker had cheated Parliament out of over $14,000 in tax-free reimbursement after claiming allowances for a second home that turned out to be a Helsinki sauna. HELSINKI — Finland’s police are investigating whether a lawmaker had cheated Parliament out of over $14,000 in tax-free reimbursement after claiming allowances for a second home that turned out to be a Helsinki sauna.
The member of Parliament, Ville Vahamaki of the nationalist Finns Party, denied any wrongdoing in a statement.The member of Parliament, Ville Vahamaki of the nationalist Finns Party, denied any wrongdoing in a statement.
The Finnish tabloid Iltalehti reported in July that he and another member of Parliament had been claiming elevated housing allowances for a sauna they had rented in the basement of an apartment building.The Finnish tabloid Iltalehti reported in July that he and another member of Parliament had been claiming elevated housing allowances for a sauna they had rented in the basement of an apartment building.
“In practice, I use it for laundry and so forth,” Mr. Vahamaki told the newspaper at the time.“In practice, I use it for laundry and so forth,” Mr. Vahamaki told the newspaper at the time.
Mr. Vahamaki is suspected of having defrauded Parliament of around 13,000 euros (about $14,800) in the form of unjustified allowances, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement, adding that he had paid the money back.Mr. Vahamaki is suspected of having defrauded Parliament of around 13,000 euros (about $14,800) in the form of unjustified allowances, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement, adding that he had paid the money back.
The prosecutor will consider charges, however. The police found no grounds to suspect the other member of Parliament, Teuvo Hakkarainen, of a similar fraud.The prosecutor will consider charges, however. The police found no grounds to suspect the other member of Parliament, Teuvo Hakkarainen, of a similar fraud.
According to The Helsinki Times, Mr. Hakkarainen confirmed in July that he had been living in the 203-square-foot unit but had not given any thought to how it should be categorized because it has “sleeping facilities.”According to The Helsinki Times, Mr. Hakkarainen confirmed in July that he had been living in the 203-square-foot unit but had not given any thought to how it should be categorized because it has “sleeping facilities.”
“It’s a perfectly fine place to stay. It has a sauna and everything,” he said, adding, “It’s the best home I’ve had in Helsinki.”“It’s a perfectly fine place to stay. It has a sauna and everything,” he said, adding, “It’s the best home I’ve had in Helsinki.”
Mr. Vahamaki and his spouse were renting a flat in the same building from the head of the Police Traffic Safety Center, Cmdr. Dennis Pasterstein, Iltalehti reported. Mr. Vahamaki was renting a flat in the same building from the head of the Police Traffic Safety Center, Cmdr. Dennis Pasterstein, Iltalehti reported.
Commander Pasterstein confirmed in July that the tented units were effectively saunas, according to local reports. Commander Pasterstein confirmed that the tented units were effectively saunas, according to local reports.
“It has been rented to them as a sauna,” he was quoted as saying. “If they sleep there a night or two a week, I don’t know what they do there.”“It has been rented to them as a sauna,” he was quoted as saying. “If they sleep there a night or two a week, I don’t know what they do there.”
Members of the Finnish Parliament are entitled to tax-free reimbursement for expenses incurred while performing their official duties if they rent or own a second home in some cities, according to The Helsinki Times.Members of the Finnish Parliament are entitled to tax-free reimbursement for expenses incurred while performing their official duties if they rent or own a second home in some cities, according to The Helsinki Times.
Finland has a population of 5.5 million people, and around three million saunas.Finland has a population of 5.5 million people, and around three million saunas.