Verdict
All four charged were convicted of fraud on 21 March 1998. In all major matters, the prosecutors submission of evidence was supported by the judge. The court felt that the fraud was the result of a planned work, and had been ongoing for several years. The court did not believe that the organisation did not have financial motives for the fraud. The court also stated that an organisation culture was not mitigating circumstances. It also stated that the leaders and treasurers had a personal responsibility. The court also felt that not following a requirement from the city issued in 1992, requiring AUF to clean up its membership register system, was in the disfavour of the indicted.
All four indicted were found guilty and had to serve prison sentences:
- Bjørn Jarle Røberg-Larsen was sentenced to six months in jail.
- Ragnar Bøe Elgsaas was sentenced to seven months in jail.
- Anders Greif Mathisen received a suspended sentence of 90 days in jail.
- Anders Hornslien was sentenced to five months in jail.
Both Mathisen and Hornslien chose to appeal to case to Borgarting Court of Appeal, but this was dismissed by the appellate court, ruling that the appeal did not have a chance to be met.
Read more about this topic: Workers' Youth League Membership Scandal
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