Court fines manager over state child welfare home purchases

Helsinki District Court has fined a former development manager at Finland’s state-run child welfare homes for negligently breaching official duties, while dismissing the charge against the organisation’s former director, Yle reports.

Jani Méling was sentenced to 12 day-fines totalling 408 euros. The charge against former director Kaisa Lepola was dismissed. The court’s decision was unanimous.

Both decisions are not yet legally final. Lepola’s case remains subject to an ongoing appeal process.

Méling has been suspended from his post at the state-run child welfare homes, while Lepola was dismissed. Lepola is also chair of the regional council in Kanta-Häme. Méling is an entrepreneur and a member of Lohja City Council, where he sits as an independent member of the Green parliamentary group.

Internal audits preceded police report

The National Institute for Health and Welfare, or THL, which is responsible for the general guidance of the child welfare homes, filed a police report concerning the procurement matters.

Internal audits commissioned by THL had found that procurement law was not followed in all cases in purchases made by the state-run child welfare homes in 2022 and 2023. Méling acted as the presenting official and Lepola as the approving official in most of the disputed purchases. Their combined value was several hundred thousand euros.

While serving as development manager, Méling ordered hot tub trailers worth more than 30,000 euros from a company whose chief executive runs a bar in central Lohja with him.

The procurement irregularities were heard at Helsinki District Court in August. The state-run child welfare homes operate in Liminka, Pietarsaari, Mikkeli, Kouvola and Vihti. The organisation also includes the family unit of Hämeenlinna Prison.