Zagreb Mayor Faces Allegations over €2 Million Fraud

The news in Croatian

1. suočiti
   Naći se pred nekom teškom situacijom ili problemom koju treba riješiti. ↩︎
2. optužba  (f.)
   Iznošenje tvrdnji da je netko počinio kazneno djelo. ↩︎
3. pronevjera  (f.)
   Zlouporaba povjerenja i prisvajanje tuđe imovine. ↩︎
4. proračun  (m.)
   Planirani financijski dokument koji prikazuje prihode i rashode za određeno razdoblje. ↩︎
5. sigurnosni
   Što se tiče zaštite od opasnosti ili štete. ↩︎
6. utvrditi
   Doći do sigurnog zaključka ili zaključiti nešto pomoću dokaza. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is Tomislav Tomašević accused of?

Question 2: How does Tomislav Tomašević respond to the allegations?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
suočiti	to face
optužba  (f.)	accusation
pronevjera  (f.)	embezzlement
proračun  (m.)	budget
sigurnosni	security
utvrditi	to ascertain

Read the full story

In a developing story, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević has been embroiled in a controversy involving an alleged embezzlement of over two million euros from the city’s budget. The allegations centre around fraudulent activities linked to the management of the Zagreb Hippodrome, involving fake security services. This complex case has sparked a wave of reactions and counterclaims from the involved parties.

The accusations have been led by prominent Croatian lawyer Anto Nobilo, who represents certain employees from the city’s department responsible for managing sports facilities. Nobilo claims that Tomašević, alongside the director of the institution, Kosta Kostanjević, orchestrated the misappropriation of funds by fabricating security services at the Hippodrome. According to the complaint, invoices were issued for hundreds of non-existent security personnel, with the funds being funnelled out of public coffers.

In a news conference, Nobilo presented evidence purportedly received from anonymous staff members, who allege that they were coerced into falsifying records. The documentation shows transactions to companies supposedly providing security, without any real services being rendered. Nobilo argues that this amounts to a coordinated and systemic plunder of public resources.

Responding to these accusations, Mayor Tomašević has firmly denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. He highlighted that Nobilo, a former legal representative of controversial figures, is engaging in the matter due to personal interests in the city’s urban plans. Tomašević suggested that the lawyer and connected individuals might be retaliating because the new urban development initiatives have hindered their financial pursuits.

Further complicating the situation, Tomašević defended the necessity of security at the Hippodrome, attributing it to efforts to curb illegal activities and protect public property. He accused Nobilo and the anonymous sources of collaborating with “disgruntled” employees who sought to damage the city’s administration for not complying with their demands.

As tensions mount, both sides remain resolute in their stances. While Nobilo insists on pursuing legal action with claims supported by “extensive” documentation, Tomašević remains undeterred, asserting his administration’s dedication to transparency and integrity.

The controversy has inevitably drawn public attention and might impact the political landscape, especially with impending elections. Independent observers and stakeholders now await further developments, as calls for a thorough and impartial investigation grow louder on both sides.

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