MPs accused of misuse of public funds

MPs of several parties are accused of misusing parliamentary funds, according to a document published on Tuesday evening on the Volkskrant website.


The document shows that €182,000 of parliamentary funds meant to assist MPs with their work in parliament has been spent on taxi fares, advertising campaigns and a computer.
The guilty parties are named as the Socialists, the right-wing Liberal VVD and the (now defunkt) List Pim Fortuyn (LPF).
According to Deloitte Accountants who drew up the document, the Socialists spent €132,000 of the parliamentary business allowance on radio commercials, bumper stickers, flyers and internet films. The Liberals made €4,500 worth of taxi trips and spent €38,500 on researching their brand. The LPF bought themselves a computer for €1,368.
All three parties have protested their innocence. Socialist party leader Agnes Kant told the Volkskrant it is parliamentary business to do research into healthcare and privatisation and to provide information to voters.
A spokesman for the Liberals said taking taxis was cheaper than having a chauffeur-driven car waiting all day. As for the brand research: ‘This is the first time anyone has complained. The accountants need to be consistent.’

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