Piia Schults, an experienced advisor within the Riigikogu Chancellery, plans to dispute her dismissal from employment as a result of a draft error associated with Estonia’s Gambling Tax Regulation.
The drafting error was made when the Parliament approved the regulation during December of 2016, unintentionally eliminating taxation on the online casino industry for a property tax year of 2026, which will create an estimated shortfall in state revenue of €4 million.
Piia Schults told ERR:
I will certainly challenge it. Unfortunately, this is ultimately a matter of values. This mistake was indeed terrible and I am very shaken by it, but this is the first such incident in my entire career. In fact, it’s not a career but a mission.
After serving for over 30 years in the Parliament, Schults is asserting that the dismissal was unjustifiable and is working with her legal counsel on taking legal action. The suit will provide clarity as to legal responsibility in similar circumstances.
Riigikogu Chancellery Director Antero Habicht commented:
Taking all the circumstances into account, this was unavoidable and necessary; it was no longer possible to continue with a relationship based on trust. Based on current information, the official will turn to the courts to defend her rights and therefore we do not consider it possible to comment further publicly. As a rule, problems are discussed confidentially and handled verbally. We do not comment on any prior mistakes in this case.
Schults acknowledges that this mistake is serious, but she indicated that this is the first occurrence of this nature in her career. In describing the circumstances, Schults states that it has been very difficult to endure; nevertheless, she has determined that it is her obligation to take this matter before the Courts in order to defend herself and to provide alternative meaning to how similar cases can be adjudicated.
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