Nosko and Lunter Face Three-month Salary Fine for Incomplete Asset Declarations

Bratislava, 2 June (TASR) - Banska Bystrica Regional Governor Ondrej Lunter and Banska Bystrica Mayor Jan Nosko are to pay fines equivalent to three months' salary for incomplete asset declarations, with the decision passed by the House Conflict of Interest Committee at its session on Tuesday, committee chair Veronika Remisova (Slovakia-For the People) confirmed to TASR on the same day. The committee also decided to launch further proceedings against independent MP Jan Ferencak. The case concerns his statements regarding a loan provided to a third party, which created a receivable that was not included in his property declaration. The committee first opened proceedings in April and has now launched proceedings covering additional years. "It concerned several years," Remisova explained. A working group comprising representatives of both the coalition and the opposition has also been established under the Conflict of Interest Committee. Its task will be to address issues arising from the practical application of the Constitutional Act on the Protection of the Public Interest. "I welcome the efforts of both opposition and coalition MPs to improve the Constitutional Act on the Protection of the Public Interest, remove certain ambiguities and help make the scrutiny of politicians' asset declarations more effective. Public oversight of politicians is crucial in preventing fraud and corruption in politics," Remisova added. The Banska Bystrica Regional (BBSK) Governor said he believes he inadvertently failed to list positions in BBSK-related companies that arise from his role as regional governor. "I receive no income from these positions. I will not comment on the maximum fine that the committee decided to impose for this matter. I have not yet received any official notification or reasoning for this decision," Lunter told TASR in response. The mayor of Banska Bystrica said he believes he inadvertently failed to declare his position as managing director of the company Dom Kultury, a role arising from his office as mayor. "Since information about my position as managing director of Dom kultury s.r.o. is publicly available and I have not received any remuneration throughout the entire period of holding this office, I do not believe that my actions constituted a breach of obligations arising from the law," Nosko told TASR. He declined to comment at present on the maximum fine imposed by the committee. "I have not yet received any official notification or reasoning for this decision. I will wait for the official ruling and then respond," the mayor noted. mf