Prosecutor alleges “blatant corruption” – but is open to reduced measures

As of Thursday afternoon, almost three days have passed since the case against the former head of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq was reviewed, and we are ready for the final words from the parties.

– When you look at all the circumstances put together, a clear pattern emerges of a man who says “if it goes, it goes”, says prosecutor Henrik Uhl Pedersen.

He argues that the defendant is guilty of fraud and abuse of authority on several counts. Four gross abuses of a public position, the prosecutor believes.

The first three cases concern unauthorized purchases on a credit card for 10,800 kroner (the amount has been reduced along the way) and some trips that the municipality has paid for, including a family vacation.

– I call that outright corruption. It is the use of the municipal treasury as his private account, says the prosecutor.

The prosecutor also believes he has proven that the defendant wrongfully helped his sister come to Greenland during corona, by impersonating her as an employee of the municipality. This happened in connection with a death in the family.

– It may be very human, but it is also gross abuse of authority to put one's own family better than others in Greenland.

Particularly important is circumstance 4 of the case: The man is accused of rigging a tender, so that it ended up benefiting his sister and brother-in-law's cleaning company.

– The defendant did not follow the rules for this tender at all. The rules were changed along the way, the prosecutor points out.

Among other things, the prosecutor focuses on a witness who shortly before gave a statement to Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq. The witness was also involved in the tender process that the defendant is accused of influencing in a criminal manner.

– The defendant should have taken a step back. But he went into it with his eyes open, deeply incompetent and breaking the law. The evidence is completely overwhelming.

At the same time, the prosecutor acknowledges that the case has been a long time in the making. These are matters from 2019 to 2022. He therefore deviates from the indictment's claim of 1 year in prison, as we have previously mentioned. It is normal for sentences to become milder when they have been in place for several years.

Different options could be a reduced sentence to prison, a partially suspended sentence or a sentence to community service. However, the last option is a bit too mild for the prosecutor's taste.

Defense lawyer responds again

Attorney Vilhelm Dickmeiss argued for his client, who denies all charges.

The defense attorney criticized the prosecutor for mixing the defendants together in a personal assessment rather than assessing each matter separately.

– It has been a long time since then, and it is very severe and burdensome to have such suspicions hanging over you for so long, says the defense attorney.

Vilhelm Dickmeiss argues that the long case processing time alone should lead to an acquittal in the first three matters, which date back to 2019. If his client is nevertheless found guilty, the consequence must be a suspended sentence, he believes.

That said, the defense attorney does not believe that the prosecution has lifted the burden of proof. It cannot in any way be assumed that the defendant has committed fraud with a credit card, he believes.

Vilhelm Dickmeiss also believed that the holiday vacation in question was refunded because the then municipal director found it justified after the municipality canceled a vacation. The sister's trip may be an expression of a misunderstanding, and the benefit of the doubt must go to the defendant.

– There is no evidence that (name of defendant) initiated this.

On the question of the tender that benefited the sister's company, the defense attorney notes:

– The purpose was to secure a good and sustainable agreement for the municipality, even though he may not have done everything the tender rules say. We have also heard from witnesses that it was not entirely unusual, says Vilhelm Dickmeiss.

– It was his task to secure the best possible agreements for the municipality, and he succeeded. He has not committed any abuse or breach of mandate or anything else. He has ensured what was needed in relation to the task being completed, and no one has complained about this, points out Vilhelm Dickmeiss.

– And in a small town like Nuuk, there can't be any conflicts of interest, he adds.

As usual, the defendant has the opportunity to have the last word in the case. However, he has no further say.

The case is being heard. It may take some time before a verdict is reached, the district judge warns. Maybe up to 14 days, she says.