The investigation is taking place in connection with the competency cases that led to Trettebergstuen’s departure.
– I believe that I have not done anything punishable, and I look forward to the matter being finally clarified, writes Trettebergstuen in a statement to NRK.
The former culture minister is being investigated for possible misconduct in connection with the competency cases.
Has the status of a suspect
Head of Økokrim, Pål Lønset, confirms that Trettebergstuen is being investigated to NRK on Friday.
– Økokrim can confirm that we have started an investigation into former minister Anette Trettebergstuen. Trettebergstuen has the status of a suspect, says Lønseth in a press release.
The case was taken in for investigation on 24 October 2023, the report states.
Økokrim has assessed that it is necessary to open an investigation in order to clarify the case.
Ecocrime chief Pål Lønseth.
Photo: NTB
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) speaks TV 2 that the investigation is Økokrim’s responsibility.
– This is Økokrim’s decision and their responsibility, and I have no comment on it, says Støre.
– I have said what I have to say about Anette Trettebergstuen’s departure. What has emerged was not compatible with being a minister and Anette Trettebergstuen resigned from the government, he adds.
Aps parliamentary leader, Rigmor Aasrud, says that they are familiar with the case.
– We note that Økokrim is starting an investigation and have no further comment at the moment. In addition to the fact that Anette is part of our parliamentary group and we will take care of her as a colleague in this.
Found out today
Trettebergstuen says she takes “note” that Økokrim will review the case against her.
– I will, of course, answer any questions they may have, she says.
– I believe that I have not done anything punishable, and I look forward to the matter being finally clarified, writes Trettebergstuen in a statement to NRK.
To TV 2 says Trettebergstuen that she did not learn that she was under investigation until today.
– I find it strange that they say they have been dealing with my case since October, while I only got word of this myself today, at the same time as the press.
Last year, Anette Trettebergstuen had to resign as Minister of Culture, due to a breach of the ethics rules.
Photo: NTB
Trettebergstuen resigned as minister after several cases of disqualification in the appointment of friends to positions of power in cultural life.
She is now a parliamentary representative for the Labor Party.
– I have already put all my cards on the table and have never had the intention of appointing someone I am incompetent to face, says Trettebergstuen to NRK.
Previously, Økokrim also opened a case against Ola Borten Moe, after it became known that he had bought shares while he was a minister.
– Cannot be treated differently
Law professor Eirik Holmøyvik has previously told NRK that what Trettebergstuen has done could be punishable.
– The control and constitutional committee must take that seriously, he told NRK last summer. He had then sent a letter to the committee.
Holmøyvik charged with the Criminal Code sections 171 and 172 on service errors:
– I do not have an opinion on whether it is punishable. It may not be a criminal offence, but you cannot treat a minister or a politician differently from public servants, he said.
He then emphasized the importance of people being able to have confidence in political authorities, and that there cannot be special treatment of politicians, just because they are politicians.
Anette Trettebergstuen has today chosen to resign as Minister of Culture and Equality
Almeland: – Own conclusions
Grunde Almeland (V) says to NRK that he registers that Økokrim is looking into the case of Trettebergstuen.
He leads the work on the competence cases in the Storting’s Control and Constitution Committee.
– It is Økokrim as the prosecuting authority that independently assesses whether or not to launch an investigation. We as politicians have nothing to do with that, notes Almeland.
Grunde Almeland (V), head of the integrity work in the Storting’s Control and Constitution Committee.
Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / NRK
– The control committee’s task is to look at the political and parliamentary responsibility of the former minister, and we will come up with our own conclusions in that matter later this month, he concludes.