Final Word from Tuesday, April 25, 2006
After throwing his weight around for years, CEO Aleš Hušák of Sazka lottery company is being pushed back. Education Minister Petra Buzková told Czech TV that he should be sacked, and Premier Jiří Paroubek said he agrees. Hušák answers to the ČSTV sports union, though, and he keeps its wheels greased and makes sure little attention is paid to how its bigwigs spend the money they get from Sazka. Hušák is rumored to have the longest pay list in Parliament of any businessman. He's achieving the unheard-of for Sazka, largely with KDU-ČSL's help, of winning a VAT rebate despite not being a VAT payer. He's also one of only a very few people in the CR who are publicly proud of having been an StB agent. Until a few months ago, this brazenness rarely went challenged. Hušák probably won't be forced out now, but don't bet on him to go the full distance.[Czech Republic Television betting gaming gambling value-added tax secret police]