Striking findings in audit report on AKP era in Üsküdar: Irregular appointments, free buses for foundations...

Üsküdar Municipality had passed to the CHP in the March 31, 2024 local elections; Sinem Dedetaş was elected mayor with 49.9 percent of the vote. The municipality returned to the center of political debate following Dedetaş's detention on July 29, 2026, on charges of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, bribery, and extortion," and her subsequent arrest on July 31.

The election for the acting mayor held after Dedetaş's arrest was completed in four rounds. AKP candidate Dündar Ziya Gültekin won the election after two CHP council members switched sides. The process concluded amidst arrests and controversies targeting municipal council members.

KEY FINDINGS IN THE AUDIT

According to a report by Birgün, the 2023 investigation conducted by the Court of Accounts auditor determined that acting appointments were made to seven directorate positions, including the Real Estate and Expropriation Directorate and the Social Support Services Directorate, even though these positions were already filled. According to the report, while the individuals occupying these positions continued to work in other civil service roles, they benefited from the rights associated with the directorate positions.

The audits also noted that "mayoral advisor" and "deputy mayoral advisor" assignments were made despite there being no legal staffing slots for them. The report reflected that eight personnel were assigned to these advisory positions within this scope.

Another finding regarding the era of the AKP's Hilmi Türkmen concerned bus allocations. It was stated that a bus was rented upon the request of an unnamed association in February 2023, but the rental fee was not collected. The audits stated that the municipality was deprived of a total of 576 thousand TL in revenue because no fees were charged for bus services provided to various individuals, institutions, associations, and foundations throughout 2023.

The findings in the report have reignited political debates in the district following the change in administration at Üsküdar Municipality. The findings regarding the previous administration's practices are expected to lead to new discussions on the use of staff and the allocation of public resources in local governments.

News Source: 12punto