Parikkala declines action over former municipal manager’s unclear credit card purchases

The town of Parikkala will not take further steps regarding unclear credit card transactions made by its former municipal manager, citing an internal procedural error, Yle reports.

An internal review found that Mervi Pääkkö, who served as Parikkala’s municipal manager from 2023 to 2026, made over 40 unclear purchases totalling around €340 in 2025. The transactions included minor grocery items such as bottled water and coffee from convenience stores.

The town’s executive board acknowledged that Pääkkö had acted incorrectly in using the municipal credit card and failed to properly document receipts. However, no formal measures will be taken, as Pääkkö repaid the full amount this week.

“Since the municipality has not suffered financial harm, the executive board sees no reason for further investigation,” the town stated in a release.

Harri Anttila, acting municipal manager, apologised to Pääkkö for what he described as a “wrong order of procedure,” noting that the audit committee had not previously requested receipts from her. The committee had claimed Pääkkö was aware of submission requirements, though its chair, Maija Valkeapää, declined to comment further.

Pääkkö left her position in March 2026 to become municipal manager of Polvijärvi. The audit committee had initially proposed disciplinary action, but the executive board overruled the recommendation.