A court in the Sverdlovsk Region says the local City Hall did not break the law in splashing out $8 million on a new Mercedes for a local governor.
Although the car (a Mercedes-Benz S500 4 Matic) was bought to ferry visiting officials about, it is now being used by the region’s governor.
Among other luxuries, it is equipped with massage seats in the back.
The local Prosecutor’s Office was the first to raise its eyebrows and ask questions. It alleged the tender was set up in a way that enabled only one car dealer to bid.
The court, however, ruled there was no violation of the law. The Anti-Monopoly service is set to continue litigation – they say the chances of winning the case are still quite high.