Former Östersundshem CEO and Executives Convicted in Bribery Case, sentences Reduced on Appeal
Daniel Kindberg, the former CEO of Östersundshem, has been convicted of bribery by the Court of Appeal, receiving a sentance of one year and eight months in prison. This follows an initial conviction three years ago in the district court, where he was sentenced to two years and six months. The appeal process resulted in a reduced penalty.
Hans Carlsson, formerly Vice President of Östersundshem, also received a one-year and eight-month prison sentence for gross bribery. A representative from Pilgrimsta hus bygg, a construction company that was a major supplier to Östersundshem, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, convicted of aggravated bribery and related financial crimes.
The case centers around a consulting agreement between Östersundshem,under Kindberg and Carlsson’s leadership,and Pilgrimsta hus bygg. Prosecutors argued this agreement constituted bribery due to the concurrent supplier relationship. The Pilgrimsta hus bygg representative was also found guilty of submitting deficient invoices related to consultancy fees,and of intentionally complicating tax controls and committing accounting violations.
Kindberg expressed his disappointment with the verdict,stating to SVT,”I am very,very disappointed by the verdict.” Carlsson’s lawyer, jonas Granfelt, indicated his client was also dissatisfied, noting the Court of appeal acquitted him on three of four charges but they had hoped for a full acquittal. Granfelt confirmed an appeal is planned. SVT has attempted to contact the lawyer for the Pilgrimsta hus bygg representative without success.
The Court of Appeal’s decision to reduce the sentences stemmed from the dismissal of some charges and the significant time elapsed as the offenses occurred. The court also considered the professional repercussions already experienced by those involved as a result of the initial inquiry and verdict.
Prosecutor Johan Lindmark deemed the reduced sentences reasonable given the three-year delay between the district court ruling and the appeal hearing. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I have done my job and received confirmation that it was a fair and targeted prosecution.”
