Segon and Jakovcic found to be in conflict of interest and fined

Zagreb, 14.01.2014 - Pomoænik ministra financija Branko Šegon od HBOR-a i Hypo Alpe Adria Banke dobio je iznimno povoljan kredit sa znatno nižim kamatama i duljim poèekom uz državnu subvenciju, objavio je HTV u veèerašnjoj emisiji Studio 4. Na arhivskoj fotografiji od 23.07.2013. godine pomoènik ministra financija Branko Šegon govori tijekom konferencije u Minsitarstvu financija. foto FaH/ Damir SENÈAR /ik

The Conflict of Interest Commission unanimously decided on Friday that former Assistant Finance Minister Branko Segon was in a conflict of interest, referring the case to the State Prosecutor’s Office for further action.

The Commission also unanimously decided that Ivan Jakovcic was in a conflict of interest while serving as head of Istria County from 2009 to 2013. Segon was fined 40,000 kuna and Jakovcic 15,000 kuna.

The Commission took action against Segon in January to establish whether he was in a conflict of interest after the Facta Vera company, in which he has a 20% stake, obtained a loan from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) in August 2012.

Commission chair Dalija Oreskovic said that on account of the business arrangement between Facta Vera and the HBOR Segon was in violation of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act because he put his private interests before those of the public. Segon will be allowed to pay the 40,000 kuna fine in eight instalments.

In the case of Ivan Jakovcic, the Commission took action last year after the head of Istria County ignored the Commission’s call to him to supplement his declaration of assets. Oreskovic said that Jakovcic had not included in his declaration of assets a piece of property in Zbandaj municipality, although he was required to do so. He is to pay his fine of 15,000 kuna in five equal instalments.

Finance Ministry: Segon performed his duties responsibly and in accordance with his powers

The Finance Ministry issued a statement on Friday following the decision by the Conflict of Interest Commission that former Assistant Finance Minister Branko Segon was in a conflict of interest, saying that during his time at the Ministry he had performed his duties responsibly and in accordance with his powers.

As for the loan agreement between the Facta Vera company and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), the Ministry said that the loan had been granted in accordance with the law.

Segon: I was not in conflict of interest

Former Assistant Finance Minister Branko Segon said on Friday that he had not been in a conflict of interest and that the Conflict of Interest Commission had had no reason to launch the case against him.

“I was not in a conflict of interest and there was no formal reason to conduct the case against me. As soon as I receive the official statement from the Commission, I will state my position on all of their allegations,” Segon said through his lawyer after the Conflict of Interest Commission found him to be in a conflict of interest and fined him 40,000 kuna.