Lauri Läänemets is the chairman of the Social Democratic Party. He said he paid 5000 euros in cash to Egle Heinsar in 2021. This was for a service. Läänemets said the money came from his savings. He preferred to keep the money in cash.
Egle Heinsar said that Läänemets told her differently at the time. She said the money was supposed to come from donors. Läänemets and Heinsar previously worked well together. This was before Heinsar joined the Isamaa election list.
Läänemets said all services were properly paid for. He said the amounts were much smaller than what Heinsar now claims. Läänemets used his savings because the elections were expensive. Some of the savings were in cash.
Heinsar said she paid income tax for the service. Läänemets said that if income tax is paid, it is not an envelope salary. He reiterated that paying taxes is the service provider's obligation.
Läänemets does not understand why this is being talked about now. It happened three years ago. Now the elections are approaching. Heinsar said that Läänemets paid her 1000 euros net for part-time work. The names of the donors were not disclosed to her.
Heinsar said they did not have a service contract. If there had been, the payment would have been made based on an invoice. She said her company Keeletunne OÜ does not accept cash payments. All payments are made by transfer.
Heinsar said one invoice in 2022 was fictitious. It was not for a service but to cover a previous salary. She said Läänemets misused Riigikogu funds. Läänemets was the Minister of the Interior from 2022 to 2025.