Botkyrka Council went on a study trip to New York using state funds earmarked to combat gang crime, according to an investigation by Sveriges Radio Ekot. Now the council is paying back.
We have made a mistake. And it's just a matter of acknowledging it, says Lennart Agén, press officer at Botkyrka Council to the radio.
In total, 23 people from the council went on the week-long trip to New York and visited, among other things, establishments in the fields of art, music, and dance.
Now Botkyrka has paid back 400,000 kronor to the National Board of Health and Welfare and acknowledges that it failed in its coordination and control.
We have now put things right. It's important. We should not claim any funds from the National Board of Health and Welfare that we are not entitled to. It's obvious, says Lennart Agén to Ekot.
In total, Botkyrka, south of Stockholm, received 65 million kronor to prevent recruitment to criminal gangs. The council has several housing areas classified as vulnerable by the police.
