Audit office reviews Paphos municipality affairs as criminal investigations loom

The Audit Office of Cyprus is conducting an investigation into the Paphos Municipality, focusing on potential mismanagement of public funds during the tenure of the suspended mayor, Phedon Phedonos. Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou met with Acting Mayor Angelos Onisiforou on Friday to discuss ongoing audits that began in March. Key issues under scrutiny include a compensatory fees scheme, a 'smart city' contract, and concerns regarding municipal engineering documentation. If criminal activities or financial irregularities are confirmed, the Auditor General stated that the case will be referred to the Attorney General, Giorgos Savvides, or the Independent Authority Against Corruption. Separately, police are investigating a new complaint from a carpentry business owner alleging non-payment for work performed for the municipality. Furthermore, Phedonos faces an existing police inquiry covering four specific areas: the unauthorized leasing of Turkish-Cypriot property, non-transparent hiring of high-level staff, misuse of a municipal vehicle, and the alleged unauthorized diversion of 1.5 million euros from the employees' pension fund to purchase land for student housing.