The Deputy Minister of Culture Novák resigned, but remained in office

Prague - The First Deputy Minister of Culture Zdeněk Novák submitted his resignation today. "It seems reasonable to withdraw into the background, not to make the Ministry of Culture a target for attacks directed against me," Novák told reporters today, referring to certain articles appearing about his tenure in the ministry. "I accepted the resignation very reluctantly; Mr. Novák will continue to work at the ministry in accordance with the Labor Code," said Minister Martin Štěpánek.
    Thus, Novák leaves a high civil service position for the second time in one year. After a long tenure as Deputy Minister, he was to become the director of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) at the end of last year based on the appointment of Culture Minister Pavel Dostál; however, the office was already led by Vítězslav Jandák at that time. After one day in office, Jandák dismissed him along with all the directors of NPÚ's regional offices and announced competitions for their positions. After Štěpánek became head of the department in September this year, Novák initially worked as his advisor and became the First Deputy in October.
    Minister Jandák even filed a criminal complaint against Novák in June - based on a finding from the Supreme Audit Office criticizing the ministry's poor management in previous years. Novák defends himself by stating that the relevant deputy is always responsible for the management, not him.
    Today, Novák said he was unaware of any investigation against him. "The police have not contacted me," he said.
    Recently, there has been writing about Novák in connection with some controversial contracts in the ministry. According to the daily Právo, Novák allegedly has ties to the South Moravian companies Archatt and its personnel-linked company Omnia projekt, which have acquired dozens of lucrative contracts for the restoration of cultural monuments worth hundreds of millions of crowns.
    However, Novák denies any "favoring" of these companies in terms of lucrative contracts. He pointed out that the ministry did not award any contracts to Archatt or Omnia, as the selection procedures were conducted by organizations established by the ministry, which are independent legal entities. He admits, however, that he sat on some selection committees but cannot recall that Archatt participated in those procedures. One of those who sat in committees for the ministry was also former high-ranking official of the ministry Ctirad Vrána. He was responsible for investments and economic management. He is currently being investigated by the police regarding suspicions about whether he acquired his allegedly extensive wealth legally.
    The anti-corruption police is also reportedly investigating projects that fell under Novák during his previous tenure at the ministry and for which there is suspicion of significant overpricing.