Prosecutor: MP Accepted Bribe in Cash
Facing accumulating pressure to talk, including from the head of state, the Prosecutor's Office released more information on a corruption case as two MPs were interviewed on Monday.
A statement revealed that one of the MPs accepted 600 euros in cash from a businessman, as a donation for the Centre Party, in return for rigging a public procurement. The MPs are suspected of having used their power to influence the leadership of Foundation Tallinn 2011, which organized the European Capital of Culture events last year.
The Prosecutor's Office also implied that this was just an instance of the suspected corruption, and that the suspects, MPs Ester Tuiksoo and Priit Toobal, were conspiring for future projects as well.
On Friday, the national security agency searched the headquarters of the Centre Party and the Tallinn 2011 foundation. Tuiksoo and Toobal were later identified as suspects in an influence peddling and bribery case.
Ott Tammik
