KPMG clears Jón Jónsson of self-enrichment accusations in Strandabyggð municipality

KPMG has cleared former local councilman Jón Jónsson of accusations related to self-enrichment within the Strandabyggð municipality, confirming that payments made to him and associated companies were in line with municipal regulations. Jón has expressed relief over the findings, noting the toll the allegations have taken on him and his family since they first arose three years ago.

The accusations stemmed from a period when Jón served on the local council between 2010-2014 and again from 2019-2022, during which the current mayor was terminated. Following his dismissal, Jón sought legal action against the municipality, resulting in a judgment that ruled the termination was conducted improperly. This led to the municipality compensating him with 500,000 krónur. After recent local elections, the mayor regained his position.

KPMG’s review concluded that there were no irregularities in payments associated with Jón and that he had appropriately recused himself during discussions regarding contracts.

Jón had requested the audit to address what he described as an onslaught of accusations aimed at the entire previous local council, particularly a public Facebook post by an official that he deemed outrageous. He awaits the municipal council’s reaction to KPMG’s findings before deciding on further steps. He expressed a desire to put this chapter behind him, stating, “It would be best to be able to simply put a period at the end of this now. I’m tired of speculating on this.”