Norwegian Economic Crimes Agency Clears Ex-Prime Minister’s Husband of Insider Trading Allegations
Oekokrim Announces Decision on Sindre Finnes’ Investigations
Oslo, Norway - The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Oekokrim) has announced that it will not investigate former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s husband, Sindre Finnes, for suspected insider trading during her tenure.
Oekokrim’s Investigation Findings
Oekokrim’s investigation centered around whether Finnes had received inside information either from his wife or external sources and used it for personal gains. According to Pal K. Lonseth, the authority’s head:
“We have found no indications of such activity.”
Despite this news, Erna Solberg is yet to confirm her intention to be the prime ministerial candidate for the conservative party in the 2025 general election.
Political and Media Pressure
This decision comes after weeks of political and media pressure concerning Finnes’ significant share deal activities, which numbered over 3,600 during Solberg’s two terms in office. Reports emerged in September about several Norwegian politicians, including Solberg and former Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, whose husbands had traded stocks without their wives’ knowledge for years. Both politicians were called upon to explain their actions in office that could potentially benefit their spouses.
Finnes’ Statement
In a statement through his lawyer, Finnes acknowledged that he had not disclosed his trading activities to his wife. However, he maintained that he had never acted on inside information, which would constitute a criminal offense.
Acknowledgement of Error and Recent Elections
In light of this development, Oekokrim’s ruling has confirmed that Finnes engaged in “completely legal trading in shares.” Huitfeldt, who was replaced in a recent government reshuffle due to the controversy surrounding her husband’s financial transactions, issued a statement acknowledging her error in not being fully informed of her husband’s investments.
Electoral Performance
The local elections in September saw Hoeyre coming in first place with nearly 26% of the votes, an increase of nearly 6 percentage points from the previous elections in 2019. The Social Democratic Labor Party, which had been Norway’s largest party in local elections for decades, came in second place with nearly 22% of the ballots, marking a decrease of 3.1 percentage points from 2019.
However, in the 2021 general election, Solberg’s Hoeyre party was defeated by the Labor party.
Timeline
- Former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s husband, Sindre Finnes, under investigation for suspected insider trading.
- Oekokrim concludes Finnes engaged in “completely legal trading in shares.”
- Local elections see Hoeyre’s increase in votes and Labor’s decrease.
- Solberg leads Norway’s center-right party Hoeyre; her role in the 2025 general election is yet to be confirmed.