Odmítli poskytnout úplatek a pomohli dopadnout korupčníky

Ludmila and Tomáš  Kaštil refuse to be part of corruption ring

On 10 April 2013, two labour office inspectors entered the I Love Mama restaurant and requested all staff to produce their working papers. Ludmila Kaštilová, who was present the scene, told the inspectors all original copies of such documentation would be provided by her husband, Tomáš Kaštil. The inspectors were not satisfied with her explanation and demanded that the contracts be immediately produced or a 250,000 CZK fine would be meted out. Ludmila Kaštilová could produce only part of the contracts in electronic form and asked the two men for permission to visit a nearby office, where the rest of the documents were deposited. Her request was sternly denied and she was asked to instantly produce the remaining documents.

The original working papers were duly delivered to the Labour Inspectorate by her husband, Tomáš Kaštil. Employment inspectors admitted that all documents were bona fide, but insisted that the 250,000-CZK fine be paid since Ludmila Kaštilová did not produce complete documentation at the time of inspection. Having consulted his lawyers, Tomáš Kaštil concluded that while a breach of legal standards had occurred, the inspectors had no right to enforce the fine.  Both inspectors therefore resorted to an “alternative way” of settling the dispute.

A further meeting took place, the timing and venue of which was changed several times. Tomáš Kaštil insisted that the case be solved in a standard way by hearing statements by his employees and evaluating the situation.  However, the labour office inspectors asked for a 50,000-CZK bribe to settle the incident. Some of them presented their case in writing and explained to the restaurant owner that the system involved their superiors and the bribe must be paid.  Should their demand not be satisfied, they indicated Mr. Kaštil and his business could suffer considerable damage. The two officials put it to him that such practice is commonplace and the system works. However, Tomáš Kaštil was adamant he would not pay. He was repeatedly warned of the consequences of his stubbornness. Eventually he was given one week to reconsider.

But Tomáš Kaštil decided to sue. He contacted a distant police station, being acutely aware of potential bias against him at the local police department. The case was submitted to the Prague 2 Economic Crime Department which, in close coordination with Mr. Kaštil, caught and arrested both labour office employees in the act of accepting a bribe.

The bold, detached and principled approach by Ludmila and Tomáš Kaštil could serve as an inspiration for those who find themselves in a similar unexpected situation.