AKP mayor who left 98 million lira in debt bought an award with money: They are asking for 54 thousand lira!

In Isparta's Gelendost district, Mehmet Sezgin, who had been the AKP Mayor for three terms, lost the election to IYI Party candidate Mustafa Özmen.

While Özmen became mayor by receiving 57 percent of the votes, he found nothing in the treasury but a 98 million lira debt. 

According to the report by Veli Toprak from Sözcü, Mayor Özmen, who was shocked by a notice sent last week, was asked to pay a 54 thousand lira 'award' fee. The defeated AKP mayor, Sezgin, was chosen as the “Most Successful District Mayor of the Mediterranean” in November 2023 by Kent-Başkan Magazine. However, it was understood that this award was given in exchange for money and that the company organizing the award ceremony had issued an invoice to the Gelendost Municipality under the name of a 54 thousand lira 'promotional fee.'

"THE BILL FOR THE AWARD WAS LEFT TO US"

The AKP mayor did not pay the invoice issued on November 22, 2023. A warning letter regarding this matter was sent to the new mayor, Özmen of the IYI Party, on April 16, 2024. The letter stated that legal action would be taken if the payment was not made.

Mayor Özmen said, “The former mayor bought an award with money. They are asking me for the money for the award the AKP member received. He left us a debt of 98.8 million lira. As if this debt wasn't enough, the bill for the award he bought to advertise himself, amounting to 54 thousand lira, was left to us.”

"TO THOSE WHO DEEMED US WORTHY OF THIS AWARD..."

The award ceremony was held in Kayseri. The AKP's Sezgin had shared the following regarding receiving the award:

“It is our greatest goal to create a city with a high quality of life, in a manner worthy of us and within the framework of a transparent municipal understanding, on this path we set out to serve Gelendost with the appreciation of our President and the favor and support of you, my dear fellow citizens. I consider it a debt of gratitude to you, my dear fellow citizens, who deemed us worthy of this award.”

HE LISTED THE DEBT AND HUNG IT ON THE BUILDING!

New mayors who took over municipalities from the AKP and MHP began their duties with a heavy debt burden... Most municipalities are posting banners on their buildings showing how much debt the previous administration left behind... The new Mayor of the district, which has a population of 14 thousand, Mustafa Özmen, also announced the 98 million lira debt remaining from the AKP era by hanging a banner on the municipal building. It was announced that there is a total debt of 98 million 838 thousand lira, consisting of 18.6 million to tradesmen, 9.7 million in taxes, 49 million to the Social Security Institution (SGK), 14 million for a solar power plant, 15.4 million to Iller Bank, and 837 thousand lira in retirement severance pay.

News Source: 12punto