According to Radiožurnál, outgoing Czech Forestry Academy director Miloš Pochobradský used a school van without paying rental fees to transport family members and staff to the World Ice Hockey Championship in Herning, Denmark. Regional controllers in July 2026 classified the unauthorized trip as an unjustified gratuitous misuse of school property, prompting leadership changes at the institution.
Audit Uncovers Unauthorized Trip to Denmark
Regional controllers from the Hradec Králové Region launched an audit of the Trutnov-based academy spanning from October to March. Investigators examined vehicle logbooks and discovered that Pochobradský used a school transport vehicle for a private journey to the international hockey tournament in Denmark, where the Czech national team played matches during May. According to a protocol obtained by Radiožurnál via the Freedom of Information Act, the inspection committee determined the trip constituted an unauthorized private use of assets rather than a fulfillment of official duties.
Pochobradský initially defended the journey in June by stating that the trip occurred within the framework of long-term practices supporting school representation and student activities. However, an investigation revealed that instead of official representatives, half of the passengers consisted of the director’s family. Radiožurnál obtained a photograph from the excursion showing Pochobradský’s brother, who works at the school as a custodian, alongside the director’s nephew and son. Additional passengers included former students and a school carpenter.
Extreme Mileage and Administrative Deficiencies
Beyond the unauthorized international trip, regional auditors identified dozens of additional discrepancies in the academy’s operations. Vehicle records demonstrated that Pochobradský frequently operated two official vehicles simultaneously—a Škoda Octavia and a Toyota Hilux—accumulating a large number of kilometers across 2024 and 2025. Specifically, records showed a significant amount of kilometers driven in the Octavia and a further portion in the Toyota. Controllers noted that the mileage logged by the director was exceptionally high compared to leaders of other regional contributory organizations.
The comprehensive audit additionally flagged administrative vulnerabilities in accounting, public procurement, asset management, and game management operations. Regional Councillor for Education Jana Berkovcová (ANO) confirmed to Radiožurnál that regional authorities exerted pressure on Pochobradský to step down following the findings. Consequently, the director formally requested a release from his position on June 9 due to personal reasons.
Corrective Measures and Institutional Response
Following the departure of the academy director, the Hradec Králové Regional Council mandated corrective actions to prevent future administrative lapses. The school received a strict deadline until the end of August 2026 to implement institutional adjustments addressing the audit’s findings. Regional spokesperson Dan Lechmann stated that the regional council will determine the schedule for a subsequent follow-up inspection focused strictly on verifying the execution of these mandatory measures.
Attempts by journalists to reach the former director for comment were unsuccessful. Pochobradský did not respond to SMS messages or WhatsApp inquiries, and his mobile phone remained unavailable. His wife informed reporters at their residence in Bačetín that he was currently on vacation in Croatia and that family members lacked direct contact with him during the trip. Pochobradský’s brother, Ivan Pochobradský, likewise declined to answer inquiries regarding the nature of the school representation during the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the director travel to Denmark in a school vehicle?
According to regional controllers, Miloš Pochobradský utilized a school transport van for a private trip to the World Ice Hockey Championship in Herning, Denmark, without paying rental fees or utilizing the vehicle for official duties.
Who accompanied the director on the trip?
Photographs and social media posts confirmed that passengers included the director’s brother, son, and nephew, alongside former students and a school carpenter, all wearing Czech national hockey team jerseys.
What were the outcomes of the regional audit?
The audit revealed unauthorized asset use, extreme vehicle mileage driven across two separate official cars simultaneously, and administrative discrepancies in accounting and public procurement, resulting in the director’s resignation.
What actions did the regional authority take?
The Hradec Králové Region required the academy to adopt corrective measures by the end of August 2026, with a follow-up inspection scheduled by the regional council.
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