15 suspects in Uşak municipal personnel fraud case brought to courthouse
In Uşak, 15 individuals alleged to have been registered as insured employees of municipal companies while actually working at businesses owned by the arrested former Mayor Özkan Yalım have been referred to the courthouse. One suspect was released.
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An operation carried out in Uşak recently has become the center of attention in the city. As part of an investigation launched over allegations that public institutions were defrauded, an inquiry was initiated into 17 people who were employed at hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues owned by Özkan Yalım—who has been suspended from duty and is currently in custody—but were officially listed as employees of municipal companies.
In line with the ongoing investigation, teams searched Yalım's workplaces and seized 52 digital materials and 36 documents. The examination of these documents and electronic devices is ongoing.
Another detail that emerged in the investigation is that some personnel were on the payroll of both Yalım's companies and the municipality, and that HTS records and camera footage were obtained showing them at private businesses instead of municipal units during working hours.
Furthermore, it was stated that a total of 16 million 866 thousand 240 lira in public funds was lost through these irregularities.
Of the 16 people detained, one individual, F.E., was released after questioning by the gendarmerie, while the other 15 suspects were sent to the courthouse today. Among the suspects is Seher A., a municipal employee who was with Özkan Yalım at the hotel where he was taken into custody.
Efforts to apprehend another suspect, A.A., for whom a detention warrant has been issued, are continuing.
While the analysis of the materials seized in the comprehensive investigation conducted by the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues, further developments will be shared with the public.