As TV Slovenija's journalist Vesna Zadravec reported, Kordež admitted to misuse of power in the case of earning at least 10 million euros through multiple resales of the Primskovo shopping centre in Kranj. He also pleaded guilty of misuse of authority for pawning Merkur's stock worth EUR 100 million to take over the company. In this way, Kordež obtained nine bank loads without any insurance guarantees.

The former CEO also admitted persuading others, such as CEO of Gorenjska banka Gorazd Trček and Zlatko Kavčič, to act illegally. The two bankers helped Kordež find bypass companies and loaned money to the over indebted Merkur through them. These companies were Iskratel, which lent EUR 20 mio. to Merkur, H & R, which lent EUR 10 mio., Gorenje EUR 8 mio., GBD EUR 6 mio. etc.

Kordež also talked the former leadership of the Factor banka, Boris Pesjak and Ciril Dragonja, into committing a criminal deed by lending 8 million euros right before Merkur's compulsory settlement.

Kordež had already taken responsibility before
In September 2012, the Kranj District Court found Kordež guilty of causing damages worth nine million euros to Merkur through various transactions. The prosecutors who took on the court case of the Primskovo shopping centre had indicted Merkur's former CEO for misuse of power and forgery of business documentation. Kordež was sentenced to five years in prison and had to pay a fine amounting to 39,504 euros.

The court also found several other people to be guilty of misuse of power or help in executing criminal offences: former member of Merkur's executive board Milan Jelovčan, former executive finance director Janja Krašovec, and former CEO of Kograd Igem Oto Brglez.

A. Č.
Translated by K. Z.