The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has completed an internal probe into a scandal that prompted former finance minister Katri Kulmuni's resignation.
Before her departure, Kulmuni faced heavy scrutiny over the procurement of services from a communications consultancy firm valued at more than 50,000 euros. However, Kulmuni retained her role as chair of the Centre Party.
Following its investigation, the ministry said that it plans to recommend yet-to-be-specified action in the incident, in particular how ordering of the consultancy services took place, according to its report published on Tuesday.
The ministry audit named the former minister's special adviser Kari Jääskeläinen as the subject of further investigation and action.
Two ministries foot bill
According to the report, Kulmuni began the communications training - including guidance on speeches, public appearance and one-on-one interviews - after last year's general election when she became Minister of Economic Affairs.
It was Kulmuni's first ministerial post and at the time, Finland held the EU presidency. Once the former minister switched jobs to lead the finance ministry, the training - provided in both instances by communications firm Tekir - continued at the request of special adviser Jääskeläinen.
The report said the choice was made not to use one of two communications firms already on contract by the ministry, due to its links to the centre-right National Coalition party.
Kulmuni's training with Tekir cost the employment and economic affairs ministry 29,884 euros, while the finance ministry separately paid out 26,329 euros.
According to the report, Jääskeläinen had agreed to continue the training on his own accord, at the "minister's mandate," an assertion that Kulmuni has denied. The report said the ministry was not aware of the orders for continued training.
Discrepancies and consultations
The report said it found that no upper limit on the costs and duration of the training, and initially the ministry had reason to believe that the cost was below the permissible limit of 20,000 euros.
Additionally, the training began before the order for it was officially made, according to the report. Invoices also include charges for five consultations which Kulmuni said she did not recognise.
The extra services paid for by the ministry included training that was not related to ministerial work. The report said Kulmuni took part in preparatory training for an appearance at the Centre Party's annual congress - where she was selected as party chair.
Before Kulmuni resigned, she offered to pay the consultancy fees herself.
Police are currently deciding whether there is reason to open a criminal probe. That decision will be made within a few weeks, according to the ministry's lead investigator, Teemu Jokinen.