Estonia’s former Education and Research Minister Mailis Reps, who is a member of the parliament from the government’s Centre Party, has been charged with fraud and embezzlement of ministry funds, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
MP Reps, the Estonian Education and Research Minister from 2016 to 2020, was charged by the country’s Public Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, November 29. Prosecutors allege that the politician committed embezzlement, by instructing ministry employees to carry out childcare duties for her children.
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Prosecutors also allege that Reps illegally spent the ministry’s fuel card and having the ministry pay for her birthday party held inside the ministry’s premises. The MP has been also charged with fraud. Allegedly, the ministry purchased a coffee machine for Reps’ home, paid for family travel expenses, transport and accommodation in relation to a leisure event, and paid for a birthday celebrated at a restaurant. According to prosecutors, the charges point to approximately EUR 7,500 being misused.
After the announcement of the charges, Reps declined to comment on them on Monday and said to ERR she needs to discuss the charges with her lawyers at first.
Estonian ex-minister suspected of fraud and embezzlement of 7,500 euros
