Six Charged Over Stadium Bribes

Former city official Sune Reinhold is one of six people charged with bribery in connection with the building of Sweden’s new 50,000-capacity soccer stadium in Solna, just north of Stockholm.

Chief prosecutor Alf Johansson said Reinhold received payments between 2008 and 2010 for consulting work he did for the builders, while he was employed as the most senior civil servant in the city of Solna.

Reinhold was allegedly paid more than 900,000 Swedish kronor ($150,000) by the companies building the $454 million stadium, which is to replace Rasunda, the current home of the Swedish national team be completed in 2012.

Johansson said the consulting services were incompatible with Reinhold’s work for the city and violated bribery laws.

Solna Mayor Lars-Erik Salminen and four construction project managers will also be in the dock for approving the payments.

Salminen has claimed that he’s innocent but he’s still expected to step down while the investigation continues.

If convicted, the defendants could face prison sentences ranging between six months and six years.