Kittilä council faces ongoing legal challenges following dismissal of Anna Mäkelä

A significant event occurred on November 17, 2014, in the small municipality of Kittilä in Lapland when the local council decided to terminate the employment of its then-manager, Anna Mäkelä. This dismissal initiated a series of legal controversies that have not only influenced Finnish legislation but have also kept various legal professionals engaged in discussions and court proceedings, including the highest court in Finland. A documentary film exploring this saga has also been produced.

The backdrop to Mäkelä’s dismissal began in November 2013, when Jouni Palosaari, known as the face of a local ski lift company, was reassigned from his CEO position to a project manager role. Shortly thereafter, Mäkelä, along with Levi Matkailukeskus Oy, filed a complaint against Palosaari regarding irregularities in lift procurement. However, the municipal council rejected the complaint, claiming that Mäkelä had exceeded her authority.

The Supreme Court has rendered two verdicts in connection to this case, with the latest judgment issued in September. Timo Kurula, who served as the chairman of the municipal council from 2013 to 2015, was convicted for attempted fraud and abuse of office, alongside then-vice chairman Aki Maunula. Kurula received an 80-day suspended sentence, while Maunula received 60 days.

Despite the resolutions reached regarding the primary issues, one offshoot of the Kittilä case remains under judicial review. In July of this year, seven local officials were fined for abuse of office related to the selection of a municipal engineer.

Anna Mäkelä has since left public office, while Timo Kurula, who has faced legal consequences, continues to serve as the municipal manager. Despite the convictions, the majority of the council has shown no concern regarding Kurula’s actions. Kittilä ranks second in legal expenses among Lapland municipalities, incurring significant costs over recent years related to legal disputes.