Daily: Hala among three former Road and Motorway Directorate managers charged

The financial daily Hospodářské noviny has reported that three former top managers at the state-run Road and Motorway Directorate – charged with corruption that cost the Czech Republic hundreds of millions of crowns – include Michal Hala as well as a former company lawyer. The daily cited anonymous sources, confirming that the men were in custody on the suspicion of property mismanagement and accepting bribes from two firms in return for cheap contracts in the lease of property (rest areas) along the D5 and D47 highways. One manager is believed to have received more than 15 million crowns; the two heads of the businesses involved have also been charged by the police. Michal Hala attracted broader attention two years ago when – on the occasion of his birthday – he threw a party for 300 guests reportedly costing 750,000 crowns.

Author: Jan Velinger