Appeal court rejects charges over Puolanka care contract

The Rovaniemi Court of Appeal has rejected criminal charges linked to the procurement of social and healthcare services by the Puolanka municipality, Yle reports.

The municipality’s mayor and five members of its municipal board had been charged with breaching their official duties. In 2020, the board decided to continue purchasing the services from Terveystalo without putting the contract out to tender. The deal was worth more than 40 million euros.

The Market Court had previously ruled that the procurement was unlawful and ordered Puolanka to pay a 120,000-euro penalty. The criminal charges were first dismissed by the Kainuu District Court and have now also been rejected by the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal said it had not been shown that the decision-makers had intentionally or negligently breached their official duties.

Puolanka Mayor Harri Peltola said in a statement from the municipality that he was relieved by the ruling. He said the aim had been to ensure continuity of social and healthcare services for residents in exceptional circumstances.