Police Search Nymburk Town Hall Over Suspected 17-Million-Crown Bribe

Detectives from the National Centre Against Organized Crime carried out searches on Tuesday at the Nymburk town hall and several other locations. According to police documents, investigators suspect corruption in the awarding of two major construction contracts worth more than half a billion crowns combined.

On Tuesday morning, police detained Mayor Tomáš Mach (of the "Nymburk with Peace" movement) and Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Vocásek (ODS) for questioning, but both were later released without charge. The investigation has also focused on Ivo Hromeš, technical director of the firm H+H Technika, and Petr Spilka of the company DEK — neither of whom has been charged either.

The Swimming Pool and a 17-Million Bribe

The first contract concerned the construction of the city's swimming pool, a tender won by the company Hochtief. The original price was set at 389 million crowns, but final costs rose to 411 million. According to police files, the contractors allegedly promised — through unidentified intermediaries — to pay the mayor and his deputy a bribe of 17 million crowns once the work was completed and the facility handed over.

Mayor Mach's lawyer, Václav Hum, said his client had cooperated with police and given detailed explanations on all matters. Deputy Mayor Vocásek confirmed that he too had been questioned, but stressed: "I don't consider myself guilty, but I did sign a non-disclosure agreement." A Hochtief spokesperson said the company had no information about the suspicions and firmly rejected any allegations of wrongdoing.

Money "in the Bank's Mailbox"

The documents describe in greater detail the case involving the reconstruction of the winter stadium — a 330-million-crown contract won by H+H Technika. A key episode centres on the renovation of a nearby gymnasium, which was not originally part of the project.

According to the investigation, Mayor Mach met with H+H Technika's technical director, Ivo Hromeš, last June. Detectives claim intercepted conversations reveal discussions about money: "Mach tells Hromeš he needs funds, to which Hromeš replies that the money will be prepared at the bank, in the mailbox," the document states. It also notes that "if the gymnasium were recalculated, something more might go to the suspect Mach."

Last autumn, the anti-organized-crime unit recorded further meetings related to this contract, some of which were also attended by Deputy Mayor Vocásek. Investigators believe these meetings discussed how to influence market consultations so that H+H Technika could submit the lowest bid and win a tender worth roughly 30 million crowns. The city ultimately invited three firms to bid, and H+H Technika offered the lowest price — 31 million crowns; the city council approved the contract this June.

A Middleman from the Hardware Store

Among the suspects is also Petr Spilka, head of the Nymburk branch of the building-materials chain DEK. Investigators believe he acted as a go-between linking politicians and construction firms during discussions of bribes.

DEK spokesperson Zuzana Krajíčková said police had requested invoices and delivery records for construction materials, asking specifically which sites they had been supplied to. She said the company had committed no violations and was only marginally touched by the investigation. Spilka was not seen at the office on either Tuesday or Wednesday, and the company said it had no details about his absence.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, police have also shown interest in a contract for building a roof over the tennis courts. Investigators themselves note that possible corrupt schemes may date back as far as 2018.

Read also: 8 best swimming spots near Prague: lakes, quarries and beaches within an hour of the capital

Source: seznamzpravy.cz