Senate member and mayor of Přerov to face corruption charges

Member of the Czech upper house, the Senate, and mayor of Přerov, Jiří Lajtoch, has been charged with corruption in connection with tenders carried out by the city. Social Democrat Lajtoch, as well as four other members of the town council’s executive, face charges, the regional prosecutor told the Czech News Agency. They are in connection with reconstruction work carried out on the town’s ice hockey stadium and construction of a new old people’s home. Work on both projects ended up much more expensive than originally budgeted for and the extra work was given to the original contractor without a new tender. Police have attempted three times before to bring the case to court but the charges were dismissed beforehand. Lajtoch and those facing charges with him say they are innocent.