Svenska Spel chair to repay expenses

Svenska Spel chair, former deputy prime minister Margareta Winberg, will repay more than 22,000 kronor ($2,982) that she received erroneously in expenses for her role, according to the company's report to the Ministry of Finance.

• Swedish village seeks mystery lotto winner (19 Jan 12)
• Gambling addicts 'not getting enough help' (23 Oct 11)
• Employee used store money for gambling (14 Aug 11)

The majority of the funds, over 16,000 kronor, were for an expense allowance to the former Social Democratic deputy prime minister that was paid out without the support of the company's practices.

A week ago, Finance Minister Anders Borg asked Svenska Spel account for compensation for trips taken by Winberg. Portions trips were improperly billed by Winberg as management fees through the company and there were other uncertainties concerning compensation for certain expenses.

Svenska Spel has requested a review by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to conclusively determine how the remuneration should be paid in the future.

Borg pointed out that Svenska Spel is an important state-owned company and that it is important to keep costs down.

"My conclusion is that Margaretha Winberg and Svenska Spel now have a job ahead of them in which they need to ensure peace and quiet and confidence in the company," said Borg.

"It is important that Svenska Spel has guidelines to ensure that this does not happen again and that (the erroneous) compensation costs are regulated," he added.

Winberg told news agency TT that she has paid back about 4,500 kronor of the over 22,000 kronor owed. She had paid for a rental car for entertainment.

One of the items, 2,500 kronor, will not be reimbursed because the cost has now been specified, according to Winberg. The expenses were for mileage from car travel between Östersund and Stockholm.

Winberg did not learn until Wednesday that would have to repay the expense allowance of just over 16,000 kronor. Svenska Spel decided that no expense allowance will be paid to board members. Previously, there was no such practice.

"I lived under the belief that it was the same rules everywhere in the state," said Winberg. "However, since this is not the case, I will return the money after the fact."

According to Winberg, expense allowances are approved internally.

"It is really sad when it gets like this," she said. "I will of course blame myself because I did not inform myself properly. That I could not verify the rental car was my own carelessness. Otherwise, the rules and regulations have been unclear."