Ankestyrelsen has decided not to open a supervision case against Nyborg mayor Kenneth Muhs of Venstre over his handling of information about the municipality’s social scandal.
The decision was reported on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, ending more than two years of uncertainty for the mayor, Avisen Danmark writes. The supervision authority had been examining whether Muhs exceeded his powers by withholding key information from the city council.
According to Avisen Danmark, the letter sent to Nyborg Kommune states that the supervision carried out an initial examination and reviewed the case material. It concludes there is no basis to determine that the mayor’s failure to inform the council breached legislation, including kommunestyrelsesloven. DR first reported the outcome on Tuesday afternoon.
The case goes back to 2021, when extensive problems and law breaches were uncovered in Nyborg’s children and family department. Muhs was made aware of the situation at a personal meeting with the then citizens’ advisor, Bjørn Brøndum Pedersen. He did not pass the information on to the rest of the council.
Three parties in the Nyborg city council asked the supervision authority in May 2024 to assess whether there were grounds for a case. Fyens Stiftstidende, which obtained the decision letter through freedom of information, names them as Socialdemokratiet, SF and Konservative. Venstre did not join the request.
During the process, the municipality was asked for a written explanation. As late as March 2026, Ankestyrelsen requested supplementary information from Nyborg Kommune for its continued handling of the case, according to Avisen Danmark.
City council member Martin Stenmann of Socialdemokratiet, who helped bring the case to Ankestyrelsen, told Fyens Stiftstidende by text message that it is good that clarification has finally arrived. He described the processing time of more than two years as unreasonable for all parties. Stenmann said he does not speak on behalf of the entire party.
Per Fyens Stiftstidende, Stenmann added that the parties still believe the mayor should have informed the council in October 2021, shortly before the municipal election. He noted that the citizens’ advisor had raised serious errors in case handling, cooperation problems and concerns about citizens’ legal safeguards.
The council has since clarified how the citizens’ advisor must approach the council in cases of serious errors. Muhs replied in a short written statement that he has noted Ankestyrelsen’s decision. He said his focus remains on solving the municipality’s core tasks as well as possible.
Earlier assessments pointed the other way
TV2 Fyn reported that the mayor was accused of lawbreaking and now escapes a supervision case. Fyens Stiftstidende reported in May 2026 that nine councillors had written to Ankestyrelsen, accusing the municipality of withholding a central email from the citizens’ advisor.
