Caught red-handed: Hungarian government official admits to stealing from a store
Change language:
A government official from Nógrád County was caught stealing at a Lidl store in Balassagyarmat after trying to leave without paying for several items. At first, he claimed it was a mistake, saying he had “forgotten to pay,” but later admitted that he had intentionally taken the goods.
The district office head was caught in Lidl
The case became public at the end of September, when authorities confirmed that an investigation had been launched against T. Bálint, head of the Rétság District Office, on suspicion of theft. He shopped at the Lidl in Balassagyarmat but paid only for a microwave oven, leaving several smaller items in his cart as he exited the store.
The story was first reported by 444.hu, which asked the authorities whether the suspect was indeed a senior government official. The prosecutor’s office did not deny it. They also confirmed that the local police had already completed their investigation and recommended closing the case at the district prosecutor’s office.
“I forgot to pay”
After security guards stopped him at the exit, the official claimed he had simply been careless and had “forgotten to pay.” The explanation, however, did not convince either the store staff or the police.
He was taken into custody, and criminal proceedings were launched against him. The investigation revealed that the value of the stolen items exceeded HUF 50,000 (about EUR 130), meaning the case was not treated as a minor offence but as a criminal one.