Iran’s auditors said Sunday that around 400 public sector officials face prosecutions over their exorbitant salaries — a scandal used by hardliners to tarnish the government ahead of next year’s election, Sky News TV channel reported.

A report by the Audit Court found that executives at state-owned banks had earned as much as 622 million rials ($20,000) per month — compared to average public sector salaries of $400.

Ali Larijani, the parliament speaker, said the salaries were “a stain” on Iran’s public sector, and that legal cases had been opened against all 397 officials who earned more than 200 million rials.

“I hope (the report) will be the source of fundamental reform in the country so that individuals cannot take advantage (of the system),” he said.

“So far 50 billion rials of unconventional salaries have been refunded to the Treasury and the rest must be refunded as well,” he said.

The scandal broke in May when leaked payslips were published by conservative media outlets. Including bonuses, one bank director was shown to have earned $60,000 a month.

Source: MENA