Culture minister accused of nepotism, abuse of power

A Danish minister has been accused of giving DKK 180,000 in ‘entertainment expenses’ to the The Academy for Untamed Creativity (AFUK) where his partner is employed and where he himself was once a board member, reports Seven59.dk and b.dk.

The Minister of Culture Uffe Elbaek is now facing accusations of breaking several laws.

The AFUK, which claims to be an ‘untraditional training and community work environment concentrating on commitment, play, mindfulness and lots of life’, was granted the extra funding to host a number of events, including DKK 41,250 on a gala dinner for members of parliament’s Culture Committee and DKK 88,000 on dinner and entertainment for 80 top EU sports leaders. Most of the invoices were counter-signed by Mr Elbæk’s registered partner, Jens Pedersen. It was also revealed that Mr Pedersen was hired as secretary at the academy without the job ever being advertised.

Unaware of job for boyfriend

Former Danish People’s Party leader Pia Kjærsgaard said the latest revelations, which come after political controversy about the AFUK being granted DKK 6m in the new budget to promote ‘new initiatives in the field of culture’, reveal an abuse of power and the Minister’s compete lack of judgement and consideration. She joined the call for a full-scale review of the academy’s activities and its close links to Mr Elbæk.

AFUK’s Chairman of the Board, prominent lawyer Knud Foldshack, said he was unaware that the Minister’s boyfriend was employed until he was told one month ago during a board meeting.

See b.dk article (in Danish) here. http://www.b.dk/politiko/uffe-elbaeks-mand-blev-ansat-uden-jobopslag

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