Tiiu Sepp maintains clear conscience

Photo: Teet Malsroos

Chairman of the board of OÜ Corrigo that stands suspected of bribing Jõhvi municipality council chairman Niina Neglason, Tiiu Sepp, said that her conscience is clean, and that she has only paid Neglason her salary. Neglason also works for Corrigo.

Sepp said that operatives of the internal security service showed up on her doorstep on the morning of January 9 and told her she has been detained.

“At first, I was afraid strangers showing up at my home would mean something had happened to my children. I was relieved to hear it was about bribery. I know I haven’t given anyone tax breaks or money. It can only be a mistake,” Sepp said.

OÜ Corrigo offers social and healthcare services. Council chairman Neglason works there as an occupational health doctor and handles capacity for work examinations.

Sepp said she has known Neglason for almost 20 years, ever since she took over as head of Corrigo.

“Neglason was already working for the company. She has worked as a neurologist, a care ward doctor, and has given and still gives lectures to people with addiction problems.” Neglason has been working as an occupational health doctor since assessment of work ability began in July of 2016.

“Where is it said she cannot work for us?” Sepp asked. “Nowhere are council chairmen full-time paid employees, they can work here and there,” she said. “Treating salary as a bribe is absurd.”

Sepp said that Neglason works for Corrigo based on an authorization agreement and is paid a monthly salary. She added that Neglason has been paid less than €100,000 for the past 18 months. “All taxes have been paid,” she assured.

According to official suspicions, Neglason accepted a total of more than €40,000 in bribes in exchange for favorable municipal council decisions in 2016-2017. The Jõhvi municipality council rented city premises to OÜ Corrigo.

“When we asked the municipality whether they have suitable premises for our youth department, they offered us a property but said the conditions would have to come from the municipality council,” Sepp said. Corrigo turned to the council that decided the company can use the premises under certain conditions.

Council chairman Neglason told public broadcaster ERR she should have removed herself from the said decision. Sepp is less convinced.

“I don’t know the law by heart, and I’m not sure she does either,” she said. “I do not understand. This is completely ridiculous to me. The rent conditions are rather stark. We are renovating the premises, we have to pay utilities and rent – those are the conditions under which we were given the premises.”

In addition to Neglason, head of social services at the Jõhvi municipality Sirli Tammiste is suspected of violating procedural restrictions.