Polvijärvi council backs municipal manager amid credit card dispute

The municipal council and board of Polvijärvi have issued a statement of support for their municipal manager, Mervi Pääkkö, following allegations of improper credit card use by her former employer, according to a report by Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Pääkkö, who became Polvijärvi’s municipal manager in January, faced claims from her previous employer, the municipality of Parikkala, that she had misused a municipal credit card. The allegations involved unclear purchases totalling around €340, including small grocery items like bottled water and coffee from convenience stores.

On Tuesday, Parikkala’s municipal council concluded that while Pääkkö had acted incorrectly, no further action would be taken. The decision followed Pääkkö’s repayment of the disputed amounts and an acknowledgement that she had not been properly asked to provide receipts. The council also apologised for the premature public disclosure of the matter, which caused Pääkkö distress.

In response, Polvijärvi’s municipal council and board released a statement today expressing full confidence in Pääkkö. Council chair Urpo Leminen (Centre Party) emphasised the importance of assessing publicised issues in the correct perspective.

Parikkala’s acting municipal manager, Harri Anttila, had previously confirmed the irregularities but noted that procedural errors by the municipality contributed to the situation.