Major Tax Crime Investigation: Is Ujpest Mayor on the Hook?

An investigation into a serious crime carrying a potential multi-year prison sentence is still underway concerning the home renovation of Norbert Trippon and his wife, Magyar Nemzet learned. Currently, three individuals are suspected in the case, but the investigation could tun up evidence of more corruption involving multiple left-wing municipalities in Hungary.

Norbert Trippon, mayor of Budapest's 4th district (Photo: MTI/Zolt Szigetvary)

According to Budai’s complaint:

The CEO of SZIN-KER EPITO Kft. allegedly told Motingatlan’s director a few years ago that they had worked in several DK-controlled districts and had to make various payments to politicians in exchange for contracts.

Authorities are reportedly investigating these bribery claims within the larger tax fraud case.

The testimony states that Trippon—then deputy mayor, now mayor— via SZIN-KER CEO requested invoices for his home renovation issued in Motingatlan’s name to legitimize the work. The Motingatlan CEO complied and issued four invoices between mid-2020 and November 2020, totaling nearly 23 million forints (approx. €58,000) made out to Trippon’s wife. The testimony further claims that after the invoices were settled, the Motingatlan CEO withdrew the payment in cash and handed them over to the CEO of SZIN-KER.