case 01
Summary
Over the years, it has become clear that Mayor Tarlos’s anti-corruption program can be overridden by partisan political interests. Politically appointed CEOs were more powerful.
01
What was uncovered
02
What wrongdoing occured
No violation occurred.
03
What consequences followed
Dr. Pinter unexpectedly lost his job, but he was sworn in as a civil servant of the Capitol Budapest to uphold and enforce the law a few days later.
04
What sources it is based on
Attached: job description, employer’s certificate, oath. Missing: a draft plan to curb corruption in Budapest-based companies has been completed.
Whistleblowing timeline
MAYOR TARLOS'S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Even after being fired three times, Budapest continued to employ the anti-corruption expert.
Over the years, it has become clear that Mayor Tarlos’s anti-corruption program can be overridden by partisan political interests. This was true even though Budapest Security Office Ltd., a nonprofit organization established to provide professional oversight and coordination, is in daily contact with the corporate security managers of every company owned by the City of Budapest.
timeline
- JANUARY 2016
Dr. Pinter has been hired as corporate security officer for Budapest Security Office Nonprofit LLC.
- MARCH 2016
Budapest General Assembly ordered the company’s liquidation.
- APRIL 2016
The corporate security officer’s employment was terminated by mutual agreement.
Dr. Pinter unexpectedly lost his job, but he was sworn in as a civil servant of the Capitol Budapest to uphold and enforce the law a few days later.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Because Dr. Pinter advocated strict internal anti-corruption rules and audit procedures, he was removed from his position on three separate occasions. In two companies, the current CEOs were dismissed during the probationary period – that is, three months after his hiring – while in one case, they were dismissed following the findings of a specific investigation.
- Budapest Asset Management Ltd. (January–March 2011);
- FOKERT Nonprofit Ltd. (March 2011 – January 2016);
- BKV Plc. DBR Metro Directorate (January 2015 – March 2015).
He was subsequently hired by Budapest Security Office Nonprofit Ltd., which oversees all municipal enterprises in the capital. There, his responsibilities included conducting assessments, summaries, and investigations related to asset management. He had barely put together his work plan and familiarized himself with the capital city companies he did not yet know when the Budapest City Council unexpectedly dissolved the company.
WHO LOST WHAT AND WHO WON WHAT
Dr. Pinter unexpectedly lost his job, but he was sworn in as a civil servant of the Capitol to uphold and enforce the law a few days later. Efforts to reduce corruption risks at companies owned by the City of Budapest have not been successful.