Lappeenranta faces delays in restaurant service bidding process amidst criminal allegations against Kolme Kiveä Ravintolat owner

Lappeenranta City is facing challenges in finalizing a bidding process for its restaurant and event services. The city aims to select an operator for the municipal restaurant, catering services, and temporary offerings for the local orchestra and theater. However, the selection process has been slow, with a decision again delayed.

According to Mayor Tuomo Sallinen, the delay is due to a request for additional information from one of the bidding companies, although he did not specify which one. The company currently managing these services, Kolme Kiveä Ravintolat, has been previously linked to serious criminal allegations.

Pan Yilei, the owner of Kolme Kiveä Ravintolat, faces accusations of human trafficking related to alleged exploitation of a Chinese employee at his restaurant, Tang Capital, in 2021. The case is scheduled to be addressed in October at the South Karelia District Court. Reports indicate that some staff have accused Yilei of mishandling employees beyond the current allegations, leading to a significant number of resignations.

In June, labor inspection authorities found discrepancies in the working hours of foreign employees at Tang Capital. Similar issues were reported in a previous inspection of a now-closed restaurant operated by Yilei, although he reportedly rectified those shortcomings by the deadline.

The former agreement for restaurant services expired at the end of last year. Since then, the city has been extending its cooperation with Kolme Kiveä Ravintolat on a short-term basis. Although the city initially planned to announce a new service provider by August, the decision is now further delayed. Mayor Sallinen stated the postponement is justified, given the need for further clarification regarding one of the proposals. The lease with Kolme Kiveä Ravintolat has been extended until at least October 19.