Customs DG convicted of nepotism

The Helsinki District Court on Friday convicted the Director General of Finnish Customs, Antti Hartikainen of nepotism and slapped with a fine of EUR 950 in a case regarding the recruitment of his wife.

The court found him guilty of official misconduct when he in November 2015 failed to leave an executive meeting where his wife's fixed-term employment contract was indirectly discussed, reported National broadcaster Yle.

The court imposed the fine of 10 days, although the prosecutor sought 20 days fine.

In the verdict the judge observed that Hartikainen had overlooked the law, but that he had not done so intentionally, said the Yle report.

Earlier, the Ministry of Finance said that the Customs Director General Antti Hartikainen may possibly have attempted to influence recruitment of his wife.

The ministry said it had inquired about hiring of Hartikainen’s wife.

A report handed by the Customs to the Ministry of Finance said Hartikainen defended his wife’s hiring and even used a threatening tone during a meeting in September 2012.

At that time, the wife had applied for a job at the Customs but had not yet been hired.

Hartikainen’s wife got a job at the Finnish Customs in October 2012 and since then her employment has continued periodically.

At the same time, it became clear that there are problems at the Customs such as in leadership, recruitment practices, working atmosphere and personnel wellbeing, observed the ministry.

Earlier, Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen said she considers the move by the Ministry of Finance to set an external party to investigate the situation in Customs important. Räsänen said it is crucial for the committee to have an impartial hearing from all the parties.